Food hygiene perceptions and safety practices among street food vendors in South Delhi: A crosssectional study.

Priyanka Sharma; Sneha Kumari; Sanjeet Panesar; Geeta Yadav; Lalit Chandrawanshi; Umang Salodia

Volume : VI, Issue : VII, July - 2017

Food hygiene perceptions and safety practices among street food vendors in South Delhi: A crosssectional study.

Priyanka Sharma, Sneha Kumari, Sanjeet Panesar, Geeta Yadav, Lalit Chandrawanshi, Umang Salodia

Abstract :

Background: Food hygiene is an important concept to prevent food–borne illnesses and outeaks. Perceptions, beliefs and practices of food handlers regarding food hygiene play an important role. But they are usually deprived of awareness related to basic principles of food handling due to lack of Government policies on mandatory training of vendors. So, there is a need to study street food vendors� perceptions to formulate guidelines and policies on food safety and hygiene. Methodology: Face–to–face interviews were conducted among 130 street food vendors by using semi–structured, interviewer–administered questionnaire. Informed consent was obtained from each participant. Results: Out of 130 street food vendors, majority (88.5%) were males. Importance of food hygiene was known to 97.7% vendors. Only 16.2% vendors were we� gloves while handling food. None of the vendors had ever attended any food safety training. Conclusion: Although majority of vendors knew the concept of food hygiene, yet it was not translated into practice. There is a need to idge this gap between perceptions and practices by providing adequate facilities and training.