Food safety knowledge among food handlers in food service establishments in United Arab Emirates. (April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Taha, Sadi; Osaili, Tareq M.; Saddal, Nirmaljeet K.; Al-Nabulsi, Anas A.; Ayyash, Mutamed M.; Obaid, Reyad S.
• Is Part Of: Food control. Volume 110(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-04
• Subjects: Food service establishments -- Personal hygiene -- Cross contamination -- Temperature abuse -- Training -- Survey; Food -- Quality -- Periodicals; Food -- Analysis -- Periodicals; Food handling -- Periodicals; Food industry and trade -- Quality control -- Periodicals; Aliments -- Industrie et commerce -- Qualité -- Contrôle -- Périodiques; Aliments -- Qualité -- Périodiques; Aliments -- Analyse -- Périodiques; Hygiène alimentaire -- Périodiques; Food -- Analysis; Food handling; Food -- Quality; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 664.07
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2019.106968
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0956-7135

Abstract

Abstract: Food safety knowledge among 646 food handlers in 88 food service establishments in United Arab Emirates was evaluated. Total food safety knowledge of food handlers was good (70%). The "cross contamination" and "food poisoning symptoms" aspects scored the highest and the lowest percentages of correct answers (76% and 66%), respectively. Half of the respondents knew the correct procedures of cleaning and sanitizing food contact surfaces and about half of the respondents identified wrong food poisoning symptoms. There was significant ( P < 0.05) association between total food safety knowledge and food handlers' age, experience, education, and enrollment in food safety training. Enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of training including training materials and delivery is suggested. Highlights: Food safety knowledge of workers in food service establishments in UAE is good. Workers have very good knowledge on prevention of cross contamination. Workers have fair knowledge on symptoms of food poisoning. Food safety knowledge is affected by age, experience, education and training.