Food handlers often have little understanding
of the risk of microbial or chemical contamination
of food or how to avoid them (Hobbs
and Roberts, 1993). As the poorly paid job,
it is poorly motivated and rapid staff turnover
also causes problems. Food handlers should
therefore receive suitable training in the basic
principles of food safety (WHO, 1998). Particular
attention should be given to the importance
of time and temperature control, personal
hygiene, cross contamination, sources of contamination
and the factors determining the
survival and growth of pathogenic organisms
in food (WHO,1988b; Goh, 1997). At the end
of the training period, the knowledge and understanding
of food safety on the part of food
handlers should be tested. The use of attractive
and explicit poster-type displays in workrooms
is considered to be effective way of reminding
food handlers of various aspects of food safety
(WHO, 1988b).