Evaluating Food Safety and Hygiene in Sudanese Schools at Khartoum Bahri City: A Study on Contamination Risks and Health Impacts

Introduction: Food health and safety are important public health issues in both developing and developed countries due to the transmission of numerous microbial and chemical diseases through contaminated food, affecting millions of people worldwide. Study Area: This study was conducted in elementary and secondary schools in the Sudanese city of Bahri between October 2022 and March 2023 to evaluate the level of food safety and hygiene services, as well as the health of food handlers. Method: Data was collected using a questionnaire and hand swabs from food-handling workers. Correlations between the variables were examined using descriptive statistics and the chi-square test. Additionally, information was gathered from 136 swab samples. Findings: According to the study’s findings, 19% of pupils had experienced food-borne illness in the past, and 57% of schools lacked permanent canteens for lunch service. The study also found a significant correlation between food contamination and the workplace (χ2 test, p < 0.001). Furthermore, several types of food-borne disease-causing bacteria were identified in the research. Conclusion: Lastly, the study’s findings indicate that food handlers’ working conditions are deteriorating, highlighting the need for continuous inspection and monitoring of food facilities.