ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES OF CONSUMERS REGARDING FOOD SAFETY IN BAHRI LOCALITY, KHARTOUM STATE, SUDAN

Food borne illnesses are prevalent in all parts of the world. Contaminated food Contributes to 1.5 billion cases of diarrhea in children each year, resulting in more than three million premature deaths (WHO). This study was conducted in August 2016 in Bahri locality, Khartoum state, to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes and practices of the consumers regard food safety. A total of questionnaire guided face to face interview with 120 respondents were carried out. Major food safety knowledge concepts include clean and hygiene, general sanitation, safe storage of food, proper cooking of food, use of thermometer in cooking. In general, the respondents had good knowledge about some food safety related issues and not enough knowledge about other issues. The results of the questionnaire showed that most of the respondents know the importance of washing hands before handling food 63% and wash the instruments and cleaning of the counter just after the preparation of the meal 83%. The results of the questionnaire revealed that 50% of the respondents know the importance of covering hands with a bandage and gloves when preparing food with cuts on their hands. Also, its reveal that 80% of the respondents didn`t know the proper way of thawing, and 84.2% of the respondents didn`t know food thermometer which use to ensuring proper cooking. This study recommend for Consumers should know and apply the five keys to safer food and implementing more training programs to the consumers to improve knowledge, attitudes and practices towards food safety.