Assess the Knowledge Regarding Food and Vegetable Sanitation among Housewives in Selected Areas of Pune City

Abstract

In order to preserve our health and remain healthy, it is of upmost importance to maintain the quality of
food we intake and avoid contamination. To achieve this, proper sanitation of the food and vegetables we
ingest is required. The poor knowledge of food sanitation causes several food-borne disease and various
health issues and in turn puts extra strain on our Health Sector. Hence, it is important to prevent the food
from getting contaminated with microbes or toxic chemicals, and follow healthy food sanitation practices.
To achieve this, food safety at the household level and knowledge regarding handling food is essential.
The aim of this study was to gain and scrutinize the knowledge related to food and vegetable sanitation
among housewives who cook the food at home. Objective: 1) To assess knowledge regarding food
sanitation among housewives in selected areas of Pune city. 2) To assess knowledge regarding vegetable
sanitation among housewives in the selected areas of Pune city. Result: The analysis shows that 7.94%
of housewives have excellent knowledge regarding cleaning of vegetables and fruits, 23% of housewives
have very good knowledge, 23% of housewives have good knowledge while 44.4% of housewives have
average knowledge. Also 15.87% of housewives have excellent knowledge regarding separation (keepapart) of food & vegetables, 7.6% of housewives have very good knowledge, 28.57% housewives have good
knowledge while, 47.6% of housewives have average knowledge. Also 7.94% of housewives have excellent
knowledge regarding cooking at safe temperatures, 15.87% of housewives have very good knowledge,
25.39% housewives have good knowledge while, 50% of housewives have average knowledge. And 6.35%
of housewives have excellent knowledge regarding chilling i.e refrigerating the food items and vegetables,
15.87% of housewives have very good knowledge, 31.7% housewives have good knowledge while, 46.0% of
housewives have average knowledge. Conclusion: The housewives have satisfactory knowledge regarding
separation and cleaning of food and vegetables, also they have less knowledge regarding cooking at safe
temperature and the refrigerating of the food and vegetables. Hence, they need to be motivated to follow
good food and vegetable practices in order to prevent contamination of food as well as to reduce the rate of
food-borne illnesses.