Assessing the Influence of Food Culture and Food Safety Knowledge of Consumers in the Ho Municipality of Volta Region, Ghana.

Abstract:

This study examines how consumers in Ghana's Ho Municipality of the Volta Region are influenced by food culture and their understanding of food safety. The study uses a descriptive design and a quantitative methodology to target 950 restaurant patrons between the ages of 18 and 65. A sample size of 384 participants was chosen using a systematic sampling technique. A semi-structured questionnaire focused on different facets of food culture and food safety knowledge was used to gather data. Descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and chi-square tests were used in the analysis. According to the results, the overall mean score for the influence of food culture on consumer safety is 2.96, with a standard deviation of 1.140. Customers' awareness of kitchen hygiene is notably high at 71.99%, while their knowledge of personal hygiene about food safety is noteworthy at 56.63%. Furthermore, sociodemographic characteristics like age, marital status, level of education, and occupation are significantly related to knowledge of food safety. The study's findings, which point to areas for improvement in public health education and policy interventions to improve food safety practices, highlight the crucial role that food culture and safety knowledge play in consumer behaviour within the Ho Municipality.