The impact of food safety knowledge and attitude of food handlers on street food quality: the mediating impact of food safety practice

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.