Abstract:
Street food is a growing segment of gastronomic
tourism. The quality of street food continues to the
stage in society as a source of foodborne diseases.
Therefore, this study examined the quality level of
street foods in Sri Lanka and how street food
handler’s knowledge and attitude of food safety
effects on food quality when food safety practices
play the mediating role. Data were collected using
a structured questionnaire from 200 street food
handlers from the Colombo district of Sri Lanka
using convenience sampling technique and
analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis and
structural equation modeling. Research findings
revealed that the current level of street food
quality in Sri Lanka is at a satisfactory level and
the knowledge, attitude and practices on food
safety of street food handlers also proven to be
positive. Moreover, food safety knowledge,
attitude and practices positively impacted on
street food quality and food safety practices
mediate the association. Therefore, the values of
Sri Lankan street foods should be promoted in
order to avoid criticism of street foods. Training
and development programs should be
implemented by responsible parties while
strengthening the rules and regulations related to
food quality to improve the status of street foods
as there is still room for improvements. The
results of this study will be useful to public health
professionals, government agencies, destination
promoters, food tourism promoters, future
researchers and all other parties interested in
street food.
