Exploring Hygienic Milk and Meat Handling Practices and Their Associated Risk Factors in and Around Ambo and Guder Towns, Ethiopia

Food safety is crucial for life and health, as unsafe food causes a range of diseases from diarrhea to cancer. Poor food handling can lead to disease and malnutrition, affecting infants, young children, the elderly, and the sick. Meat and milk products are particularly susceptible, and poor hygiene conditions and lack of personal hygiene contribute to contamination. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess hygienic milk and meat handling practices and their associated risk factors along the value chain handlers in the study area. A cross-sectional study survey was taking place from January to August 2024. A structured pretested questionnaire data collection tool was used to collect the data. A total of 186 respondents, found in the Ambo and Guder towns along the milk and meat value chain, were involved in the study. The data was analyzed using SPSS software Version 27. The study revealed that the hygienic milk and meat handling practices level of milkers, milk sellers, butchers, and meat sellers were 52.8%, 43.3%, 50%, and 54.3%, respectively. Respondent's age and experience year were found to be statistically significant (<i>p</i> < 0.05) and showed good milk and meat handling practices. In conclusion, this study indicated that nearly half of the respondents had poor practices of milk and meat handling. This implies that the meat and milk products in the area may have public health risks. Therefore, creating and raising awareness about hygienic milk and meat handling practices in the study area is needed.