Usefulness of periodic food safety training among hospital food handlers

Strict conformity to food safety standards is important in the Institutional kitchen whilst the food is served to the hospitalized patients. Regular training of food handlers (FH) may ensure food safety compliance and prevent food-borne illness and outbreaks. 100 FH were enrolled for the study, out of which 94 FH completed the study. The design of the study was Quasi - experimental design (pre- test, post-test design).A questionnaire was administered on FH in the beginning of the study to determine their existing level of knowledge, practice and attitude towards food safety issues related to food preparation and services in AIIMS hospital. Thereafter, one day of training session was conducted to update their food safety knowledge. Therefore, change in food safety knowledge was again determined by a questionnaire. Scores of pre and post training knowledge was statistically analysed. Correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation of post training knowledge with attitude (r=0.232, P<0.02). The findings of the present study provided an insight into planning appropriate training modules in the interest of providing quality dietary care to hospital dieted patients.