Safety Food Standards of Eating Houses in Calabar South Local Government Area, Cross River State, Nigeria

This descriptive study assessed safety food standards in eating housing in Calabar South Local Government Area, Cross River State, Nigeria. The maintenance of safety standard in all food processing outfits, especially eating houses is fundamental for the protection of consumers from food related illnesses hence the study. Three (2) hypotheses were formulated to direct the investigation. The study seeks to find out how variables of equipment maintenance and environmental maintenance relate to food safety in the area. A sample of One Hundred and ten (110) respondents was drawn from the population in Local Government Area through simple random sampling technique for the study. Data were collected using well designed and validated structured questionnaire. Data collected were subjected to statistical analysis using Chi-square (X2) test statistics. Results obtained indicated that, equipment maintenance, and environmental maintenance exerted significant effect on food safety standard in eating houses in the area. It was concluded that good proper maintenance of equipment and good environmental maintenance/hygiene is fundamental in all eating houses so as to ensure maintenance of food safety standard. This will culminate to food protection from contamination thus reducing food related illnesses. From the findings, it was recommended among others that government and food regulatory agencies should enforce food safety standard by ensuring that all eating houses maintained good proper maintenance of equipment, and sound environmental hygiene of their eating houses as this will enhance food safety and protect consumers from food-borne illnesses in the area.