Evaluation of Food Safety Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices among Street Food Vendors in the Klang Valley, Malaysia

Abstract

Street food vendors are proliferating in Malaysian communities because the foods are reasonably priced and accessible since they are typically found in crowded areas. Due to informal observation of food handling practices, street food vendors have been noted as a common cause of foodborne diseases. Hence, the objectives of this study are 1) to determine the level of knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of food safety among street food vendors, 2) to examine the associations between the level of food safety practices and socioeconomic characteristics of street food vendors, and 3) to investigate the relationship between level of knowledge, attitude,  and practices of food safety among street food vendors,  A purposive sampling method was used, and 268 street food vendors were involved in this study. Several statistical analyses, including descriptive analysis, Chi-square analysis, and Pearson correlation analysis, were used to analyze the data. Out of 268 street food vendors, 219 (81.7%) had adequate knowledge, 239 (89.2%) had a favourable attitude, and 245 (91.4%) vendors implemented good practices in their food handling procedures. Street food vendors’ practices were associated with education level (p=0.069), type of stalls (p=0.030), monthly revenue (p=0.006), license (p=0.027), food safety training (p=0.001), and typhoid injection (p=0.005). The study revealed a positive correlation between the street food vendors’ knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) regarding food safety. This investigation suggests that the street food vendors demonstrated a commendable proficiency in food safety KAP. However, relevant authorities must prioritize rigorous enforcement and educational interventions. This proactive approach is essential to elevate food safety standards further and effectively address the potential risks of foodborne diseases.