Food safety awareness and practices among women in selected areas of suklagandaki municipality

Food is an important basic necessity which is essential for health and wellbeing of humans. Therefore, ensuring safe food handling and preparation is of paramount importance so the present study was conducted with the aim to examine knowledge and practice related to food safety among women responsible for preparing food at the home level

A Community based descriptive survey study was carried out in the Suklagandaki Municipality over a time period from April 1^st, 2018 to April^13th, 2018 with sample of 110 women. Data was collected by using Demographic Performa, Structured Knowledge questionnaire on food Safety and Practice questionnaire on food safety practices. Each question consists of 30 items. Data collection technique was face-to-face interviews. Data entry and analysis was done using SPSS version 19. Both Descriptive and inferential Statistics was used for data analysis. Permission was taken from Chief Executive of Suklagandaki Municipality.

The research findings revealed majority 61.8% heard food safety from television and radio. All of the participant 100% response washing hand is important aspect of food safety.only 30.0% response correct answer for raw eggs can have bacteria but 86.4% Cook meat and egg thoroughly. Almost half 51.8% of the participants response correct answer for item Chopping board should be washed with soap and water after cutting raw meat. More than half 58.4% response correct answer for item Checking expiry date before purchasing food but 58.2 always practice for this item.

Study findings shows though they have good knowledge in some item they does not follow while practice so the study conclude food safety education should be launched to women and repeated at specific intervals to ensure that learnt information is put into the daily life practices.