Food Safety Practices in Boarding Senior High Schools in Ghana

• Main Author: Melody Enyonam Appietu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Africa Development and Resources Research Institute (ADRRI) 2018-08-01
• Series: Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences
• Online Access: https://journals.adrri.org/index.php/adrrijafs/article/view/404

Whereas food safety studies have received much empirical investigation, limited studies regarding food safety practices in boarding senior high schools exists. This study examined the food safety knowledge, practices and barriers to food safety practices among food handlers in boarding senior high schools (SHS) in Ghana. A cross-sectional research design was adopted for the study using questionnaires to collect data from 97 food handlers in five senior high schools in the Ho Municipality, Volta Region, Ghana. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data and these were presented in tables, pie and bar charts. Results of the study revealed good food safety knowledge and fair practices among food handlers. Inadequate provision of equipment and irregular water supply accounted for the major barriers that obstructed food safety practices. Findings of this study have implication for stakeholders involved in the management of Senior High Schools (SHS). Administrators of SHSs must design and implement food hygiene training and sanitation programmes for food handlers in schools. Also, more stringent supervision during food preparation processes is recommended.