| The purpose of this study was to examine the food safety knowledge and practices of college students with food service experience. A convenience sample of students enrolled at a small private college in western New York, who have worked or are currently working in food service were considered eligible for the study. The researcher constructed a survey, administered via SurveyMonkey, through the college's email system. Participants were tested on knowledge of food safety along with food safety practices at the worksite. Surveys were manually scored to determine adequacy of food safety knowledge. Descriptive statistics were computed, determining whether or not safe food handling practices are used and if food safety training is received within the populations studied. These findings suggest that although college students who have worked in food service may have adequate knowledge to safely prepare food, they do not always practice appropriate food safety procedures. Of the 83 respondents, 51.5% reported they had received food safety training while employed at a food service establishment and 41.2% stated they had not received any food safety training. For the food handling practices section of the questionnaire, 68.7% of the respondents had a high level of food safety knowledge. The current study could be used to determine the significance of food safety training in food service establishments, which could be taught by Registered Dietitians. The study indicates the importance of dietitians in the food service industry. |
