FOOD CONTAMINATION AND SAFETY TRAINING AS PREDICTORS OF FOOD SAFETY PRACTICES AMONG FOOD HANDLERS

Higher levels of food safety practices among SME food handlers are continuously correlated with a solid foundation in food contamination knowledge and comprehensive food safety training, highlighting the significance of ongoing investment in food safety education. This descriptive correlational study aimed to determine the significant relationship between the extent of SME food handlers’ knowledge on food contamination and food safety training in their food safety practices. The participants included 169 food handlers from Carrascal, Surigao del Sur, Philippines, and were surveyed using a questionnaire that underwent validation and reliability testing. Results revealed that participants had a very high level of knowledge about food contamination across biological, physical, and chemical factors. Their extent of food safety training is very high. The participants demonstrated a very high level of food safety practices across personal hygiene, food preparation and cooking, and food service. Food safety training positively correlated with overall food safety practices, particularly in personal hygiene, food preparation, and cooking. A moderate positive correlation was found between knowledge about contamination and food safety practices, while the correlation between training and food service practices was relatively weaker. Consistent investment in food safety training programs is consequently required. It improves individual competency, promotes responsible handling habits, and eventually leads to safer food systems and better public health outcomes. Future research may replicate and expand the study to include several geographic regions and types of food establishments, such as informal food sectors, franchised outlets, and rural-based SMEs.