STRATEGIES FOR PREVENTING FOOD POISONING IN CATERING ESTABLISHMENTS IN OWERRI MUNICIPAL, IMO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study determined the strategies for preventing food poisoning in catering establishments in Owerri
Municipal, Imo State, Nigeria. Descriptive survey design was used to carry out the research. The population
for the study was staff of the fast foods located in Owerri Municipal. Ten fast food centres were randomly
selected and 130 respondents served as the sample size. Questionnaire was used for data collection and the
analysis of standard deviation. The results showed that there is prevalence of food poisoning in most catering
centres in Owerri Municipal (2.7). The results also showed that the various causes of food poisoning in
catering establishments included poor hygiene practices, poor sanitary practices and food handling during
food preparation, storage and processing (X3.5). On the appropriate measures to prevent food poisoning
the results showed that proper hand washing, washing of cooking utensils and personal hygiene were
amongst the important measures to prevent food poisoning. The study showed that utilizing these strategies
will go a long way to prevent food poisoning thus ensures food safety. Therefore, National Agency for Food
Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) should conduct seminars and workshops to educate the public
and the food handlers on food hygiene practices. The food handler employers should ensure strict adherence
to personal and food hygiene practices in their establishments.