The aim of this study was to investigate food safety knowledge levels according to the socio-demographic profiles of young food handlers and to find out the determinants of the knowledge level. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Türkiye; it consisted of sections including hygienic design, freezing and thawing, preparation, cooking and reheating, service, storage, and foodborne diseases sections. The food safety knowledge level differed according to gender, age, income, grade level, and intership status. Participants who coded 60% of the survey statements correctly were considered to have “good” food safety knowledge. Knowledge about cooking and reheating, foodborne diseases, and service was found to be at a poor level, but food safety knowledge (overall) was good (68%). The correct score ratio was found to be the highest for hygienic design. Binary logistic regression presented that gender, income, grade level, and internship status significantly affected knowledge level. The strongest predictors were found to be income of $638-$850 (exp (β)=12.9) and more than $850 (exp (β)=4.6), respectively. This study highlights that female students under the age of 25 with an income of more than $638, who have not yet completed an internship, have the highest level of food safety knowledge. This study presented a holistic approach to the food safety knowledge of young food handlers. These insights can contribute to the development of hygiene/sanitation and food safety course content for culinary and gastronomy students.

The aim of this study was to investigate food safety knowledge levels according to the socio-demographic profiles of young food handlers and to find out the determinants of the knowledge level. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Türkiye; it consisted of sections including hygienic design, freezing and thawing, preparation, cooking and reheating, service, storage, and foodborne diseases sections. The food safety knowledge level differed according to gender, age, income, grade level, and intership status. Participants who coded 60% of the survey statements correctly were considered to have “good” food safety knowledge. Knowledge about cooking and reheating, foodborne diseases, and service was found to be at a poor level, but food safety knowledge (overall) was good (68%). The correct score ratio was found to be the highest for hygienic design. Binary logistic regression presented that gender, income, grade level, and internship status significantly affected knowledge level. The strongest predictors were found to be income of $638-$850 (exp (β)=12.9) and more than $850 (exp (β)=4.6), respectively. This study highlights that female students under the age of 25 with an income of more than $638, who have not yet completed an internship, have the highest level of food safety knowledge. This study presented a holistic approach to the food safety knowledge of young food handlers. These insights can contribute to the development of hygiene/sanitation and food safety course content for culinary and gastronomy students.

Current research work was carried out for the detection of potential bacterial pathogen and aflatoxigenic fungi Aspergillus spp. from grain comprising [Rice (5), Maize (5), Wheat (5), Khessari dal (5) and Anchora dal (5)] were collected from 3 different local markets of Dinajpur District, Bangladesh. 15 bacterial isolates comprising 4 genera of bacteria were found from a total of 25 samples. The isolated bacteria were Staphylococcus spp., Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., Salmonella spp. with 16%, 28%, 16% and 16% prevalence respectively. Antibiogram studies revealed that overall effective drugs against isolated bacteria were Ciprofloxacin followed by Gentamycin. But resistant drugs were Penicillin, Vancomycin, Erythromycin, Kanamycin, and Amoxicillin. The variation in the sensitivity of common antibiotic could be the result of extensive and indiscriminate use of these antibiotics. Aspergillus spp. was isolated from 4-grain samples with 16% prevalence. But aflatoxigenic Aspergillus spp. was isolated from 3 samples with 12% prevalence. From the wheat samples and maize, the aflatoxigenic fungus was isolated and their prevalence in maize, wheat was 40% and 20% respectively. Their early detection can help to take preventive measures to combat economic and health losses. The study showed that earlier detections can be made by simple traditional identifications using macro and micromorphological fungal features rather than adopting the time and cost consuming molecular identification techniques.