FOOD SAFETY KNOWLEDGE AND FOOD SAFETY PRACTICES OF MEAT HANDLERS IN ABATTOIRS AND BUTCHERIES IN ACCRA METROPOLIS OF GHANA

ABSTRACT

The safety of meat on the Ghanaian market, particularly those slaughtered locally, has been a source of concern over the years. Butchers slaughter animals on the bare ground and singe the fur with lorry tyres which is an unpleasant scene observed in James Town and other areas in Accra and its surrounding communities. The research design was mainly a mixture of both quantitative and qualitative descriptive study which covered a sample of 170 respondents. Multistage sampling was used to arrive at the final sample size and in depth interviews and questionnaires were used for the primary data collection. The findings of the study indicated that animal wastes were openly disposed of near the abattoirs attracting carnivorous animals such as vultures and dog. Improper cleaning of equipments and butchering platforms; the use of car tyres to burn and roast animals; ineffective supervision by law enforcement agencies; poor sanitation within the abattoir and illiteracy on the part of the butchers are threats to the safety of meats from these abattoirs It was concluded that there are several laws enacted to ensure food safety. However these laws are not effectively enforced in the abattoirs hence butchers engage in practices which could lead to microbial contamination of meat. The study recommended that public education on the various laws governing food safety should be intensified to enlightened butchers and the general public on the roles of these food laws.