Journal of Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics

Practices on Safer Food among Household Food Handlers in the South-West Region in Bangladesh

Foodborne illnesses and deaths are all too common worldwide, primarily due to contaminated food, water and poor hygiene and sanitation practices during food preparation and handling. Food safety is a significant concern for public health on a global scale, particularly in developing countries such as Bangladesh. To prevent foodborne illnesses, it is crucial to adhere to appropriate food safety management procedures. The "WHO five keys to safer food" play a critical role in ensuring food safety. In this study, a cross-sectional survey was conducted through face-to-face interviews with 225 domestic food handlers in the South West region of Bangladesh. The results revealed that the majority of home food handlers lacked sufficient knowledge and practice in food safety and none of the respondents had received formal training in food preparation or hygiene. The study recommends the implementation of proper training programs for food handlers to enhance their understanding of food safety. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of the government and local stakeholders prioritizing efforts to reduce foodborne illnesses and fatalities in Bangladesh.

Author(s): Mahade Hasan, Opshora Islam Zayeda, Nasrin Sultana, Rifa Tasniya Zisan, Shammy Akter, Shaikh Shahinur Rahman, M. Rezaul Karim and M. Mominul Islam*

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