Food Safety Knowledge Among Street Food Vendors in Estancia, Iloilo, Philippines

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the food safety knowledge of street food vendors in the Municipality of Estancia, Iloilo. Using a quantitative survey design, data were collected from 275 street food vendors, focusing on four key areas: food preparation, handling, storage, and selling. Results revealed that the majority of respondents were extremely knowledgeable about food safety, particularly in hand sanitation, proper utensil cleaning, and food storage techniques. Despite high levels of knowledge, challenges in consistently applying this knowledge were identified, suggesting the need for continuous training and education to ensure proper food safety compliance. The findings of this study provide a foundation for the development of targeted training programs to improve food safety standards among street food vendors in the area, ultimately reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses.