INTRODUCTION
Food handlers also known as food vendors
are vital components in the interaction between
the cooking environment and the
food which is being prepared or served.
WHO (1989) defined food handlers as
those who, in the course of their normal
routine work, handle food or items that
may come into contact with food, such as
eating and drinking utensils not meant for
their personal use. During food handling
and preparation, microorganisms on raw
foods can be transferred to the hands of a
food worker and subsequently to other surfaces
(such as water faucet handles) contacted
by contaminated hands. The hand is