This study was aimed to measure the basic knowledge on food safety and food handling practices among
migrant food handlers as these information is scarce in Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was conducted
face-to-face amongst 383 migrant food handlers from three major cities in Peninsular Malaysia through
questionnaire. Socio-demographic information of all respondents was collected. Questions on food safety
knowledge (i.e. food cleanliness and hygiene, symptom of foodborne illnesses and foodborne pathogens)
and food handling practices were assessed. The compiled data were analyzed by using the Statistical
Packages for Social Science (SPSS) 16.0. Overall, migrant food handlers had poor level of knowledge on
food safety with an average food handling practice. Significant effects were observed between respondents’
food safety knowledge and socio-demography (country of origin and educational level) and
two factors namely; respondents’ nationality and attendance at food training programs showed significant
associations with their food handling practices. Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that
attendance at food training programs was a significant and independent predictor of the respondent’s
food handling practice. The study’s findings highlighted issues with regards to the extent of knowledge
acquisition on food safety and hygiene by migrant food handlers. Therefore, this warrants improvements
not only in the better delivery methods of training modules but also tight enforcement of attendance at
the programs by the respective authorities.