FOOD SANITATION SITUATION IN PRIMARY SCHOOL, LOEI PRIMARY EDUCATION SERVICE AREA 1, LOEI PROVINCE

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to study the situation of food sanitation in primary school in the Loei Primary Educational Service Area 1, and to examine microbial contamination in 32 samples of food, drinking water, tap water, utensils, and food handlers' hands. The instruments used in the study were (1) a survey on food sanitation standards in schools, (2) a coliform bacterial contamination test kit (SI-2), and (3) a coliform test kit in water and ice. Data was analyzed by finding frequency and percentage.

The results showed that the canteen sanitation of all three schools did not meet food sanitation standards. Improvements were required in (Category 3) food, water, ice, and beverage, (Category 4) utensils, (Category 5) garbage and sewage collection, and (Category 7) cooks, and waiters. Testing of microbial contamination in food, drinking water, tap water, utensils, and food handlers' hands found that 56.25% of the samples were contaminated. The most coliform-contaminated sample was drinking water and tap water (66.67%), followed by utensils (60.00%), fresh food (50.00%), and hand of food handlers (40.00%), respectively.

Therefore, schools should provide training on food sanitation of canteens, food quality inspection on microorganisms and personal hygiene of food handlers in order to improve canteens and food quality in accordance with food sanitary standards.