Assessing Food Safety and Hygiene Practices in Old Age Homes in Mangaung and Lejweleputswa Regions, Free State

Tshegofatso Nhabe ^1* Ntsoaki Joyce Malebo ²

• ¹ University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
• ² Central University of Technology, Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa

Poor food handling, improper cooking, and inadequate storage practices can easily lead to the spread of harmful pathogens, particularly in vulnerable settings like old age homes. This study aimed to assess food safety practices in 14 old age homes (N=14) by using questionnaires (N=80) to gather data on food handlers' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. A food safety checklist was also used to evaluate compliance with hygiene and safety standards. The study highlights gaps in food safety practices and compliance with food safety regulations in old age homes in the Free State, South Africa. Non-compliance was noted in 5 (35%) of the facilities, with issues such as inadequate handwashing facilities, limited access to hot water, and insufficient personal protective equipment. While 9 facilities (65%) demonstrated compliance with food safety regulations, stricter enforcement of food safety measures is needed to ensure continuous adherence to standards. This is crucial for protecting the health and well-being of elderly residents. The findings further showed that participants generally had a good understanding of personal hygiene, proper food handling, sanitation, and microbial contamination prevention. However, despite this knowledge, there was a gap between understanding food safety practices and applying them. The study recommends increasing provision of hygiene facilities, frequent inspections, enhanced food safety training for all food handlers, and stricter adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs).