PERCEPTION OF POST GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN EDUCATION STUDENTS ON FOOD SAFETY AMONG FOOD HANDLERS IN FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS IN ZARIA

Abstract

The study investigated postgraduate diploma in education students’ perception of food safety and personal hygiene practice of food handlers in fast-food restaurants in Zaria. A descriptive study of six sections scale questionnaire was used. A total of 188 questionnaires were distributed during this study to the postgraduate diploma in education students at the National Teachers’ Institute, Kaduna. Among the distributed questionnaires, 151 were correctly filled, retrieved, and analyzed. Sixty-seven respondents (44%) were male while 84 (56%) were females. Forty-seven respondents (31%) did not patronize any of the restaurants. Among factors influencing the choice of restaurants are closeness to the residence, price of food and quality of food were the most important factors 49 (32%). Twenty-four (16%) eat in restaurants because of the similarity of the food to home food. Of the most preferred food, Fried rice, 25 (17%) top the list, next was pounded yam, 24 (16%) and Jollof rice, 19 (13%). Amala 2 (1%) and Fufu 0 (0%) were the least food preferred. A total of 93 (62%) respondents believed handlers kept short nails, 53 (35%) do not pick their nose, and 80 (53%) stated that food handlers do not cough or sneeze while handling food. Seventy-nine respondents (53%) also stated that serving food with unprotected hands were not observed. The result of this study showed that although food handlers are aware of the need for personal hygiene, more awareness needs to be created