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A Qualitative Analysis to Identify the Food Safety Training Needs of Government Sanitation Inspectors in the Philippines

Abstract

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2016 to identify the food safety training needs of government sanitation inspectors in the Philippines who carry out the role of food inspectors as a part of their job. The paper survey was answered by 235 sanitation inspectors of different cities selected randomly. Answers showed 67.2% did not attend any formal training on methods of inspection for food safety and 78.7% did not attend any formal training on hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP). Further, 80.4% did not receive any formal training on the Food Safety Act of 2013. Among these participants, 81.1% believed that their current performance could be improved by attending relevant training and 89.8% showed strong need to be trained on HACCP. It was concluded that a training program for sanitation inspectors, including an exam and refresher, needs to be enforced and that resources should be allocated for such a program to include at least the basics of food safety, HACCP, the Food Safety Act of 2013, and methods of risk-based food safety inspection for different food establishments.

Author

  • Wessam M. Atif, MSc, MD, PHPD, ACIEH, GradIOSH, University of Manchester, Food Safety and Hygiene Academy of the Philippines (FoodSHAP, Inc.)
Volume#: 82.2
Page #: 18-23
Publication Month: September 2019

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