Food Safety: A Study of Jordanian Consumer's Knowledge and Practices

This study investigated the Jordanian consumers' knowledge and self-reported practices of safe food handling. A questionnaire based on a five-point Likert scale was distributed on 300 randomly selected consumers. The answers of 208 respondents were analyzed. The results showed that Jordanian consumers follow some safety rules when they prepare or purchase food products while they lack awareness of some others. Additionally, statistically significant differences in purchasing behavior and safe food handling were found between males and female and between respondents of different ages and income levels. Finally, a microbial analysis of samples of the traditional dish in Jordan (Mansaf) collected from several houses indicated low bacterial counts. Thus, food hygiene knowledge and attitudes of Jordanian households who prepare food were satisfactory.