Food Safety Characterization of Food Enterprises for Inclusive Nutrition Sensitive Value Chain Development in Sub-Saharan Africa. A Case Study of the Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato Value Chain in Kenya

Abstract

Food safety receives minimal attention and only captures national attention during foodborne disease outbreaks. The objective of this study was to explore the knowledge, attitudes and practices on food safety aspects related to Orange Fleshed Sweet potato (OFSP) along the food value chain in Kenya. A cross-sectional study was designed and investigated food safety knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) among the OFSP processors, traders, and consumers of street foods in Kenya. A socio-demographic questionnaire and KAP questionnaire were used as data collection instruments. The study included OFSP traders OFSP puree processors, large retailer’s bakeries and consumers in Nairobi. The OFSP traders included were the suppliers of OFSP in the markets around Nairobi city. The OFSP consumers included the people who buy cooked OFSP from the street vendors in Nairobi city. Descriptive statistics such as percentage means and standard deviation were used to summarize the socio-demographic data and the knowledge, attitude, practices, and overall KAP. Pearson’s correlation was used to establish an association of the three study components. Adjusted linear regression was used to assess the effect of food safety on knowledge, attitude, and practices. Knowledgeable, positive attitude and good practice on food safety were considered for mean scores above 80%. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05 . The findings from the OFSP processors revealed a mean percentage score for knowledge, attitude, practices at 70.7%, 93.5%, and 90%, respectively, with an overall mean score of 84.6%. Lower education level was statistically significantly associated with food safety practices at p = 0.002. Adjusted linear regression found a significant effect of food safety on knowledge at p<0.001. Adjusted multiple regression revealed that age was statistically significantly associated with food safety knowledge, and food safety attitude (both at p <0.001). Education level was significantly associated with food safety practices (p<0.001). Findings from OFSP traders revealed mean percentage scores for knowledge, attitude, practices at 63.1%, 74.4%, and 64.7%, respectively, with an overall mean score of 67.4%. Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed a strong positive correlation between food safety attitude and food safety practice p= 0.015. Similarly, a strong positive correlation between food safety practice and food safety knowledge was noted (p <0.001). Adjusted linear regression found that Food safety practice was significantly impacted by both knowledge and attitude R2=0.578 F=49.6 p=0.000. Results from OFSP consumers revealed mean percentage scores for knowledge, attitude, practices at 66.2%, 87.3%, and 91.6%, respectively with an overall mean score of 81.7%. Lower education level was statistically significantly associated with inappropriate practices among OFSP consumers p = 0.040. Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed a week positive correlation between food safety knowledge attitude and practice. : This study reveals a gap in the area of food safety knowledge, attitude, and practice along the OFSP value chain. The study highlights the need for policymakers to address and review the knowledge, attitude, and practices in the food industry, to raise food safety awareness campaigns and organize more targeted training along the food chains to reduce the foodborne disease burden. Keywords: Food safety, Knowledge, attitude, practices, processor, traders, consumers DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/110-05 Publication date: September 30 th 2021