Hygienic quality of used papers used as food packaging in the informal sector in San-Pedro in Ivory Coast

Abstract

The objective of the study was to assess consumers’ perception of the hygienic quality of food packaging used in the informal sector in the city of San-Pedro. A questionnaire composed of a socio-demographic and a hygiene-level assessment components was administered to 30 sellers (25 women and 05 men) and 30 customers (15 women and 15 men. The survey focused on the type of packaging used, knowledge, practice of food hygiene, perception of the level of cleanliness of the packaging used, practice of food hygiene and knowledge of food poisoning. The results showed the low level of education of the respondents, the lack of knowledge of food hygiene of customers and vendors. In this informal sector, the types of packaging used are cement paper, printed paper, plastic and notebooks. These sellers were mostly women at 88.33% and 16.67% men. Among women, 60% had primary school, 24% had junior high school, 12% had senior high school, 4% had higher education. Among customers, among men, 26.67% had primary school, 20% had junior high school, 20% had senior high school and 33.33% had higher education. Among female customers, 26.67% had primary school, 40% had junior high school, 20% had senior high school and 13.33% had higher education. The respondents have little knowledge of hygiene rules and the risks of food poisoning. ThereforeOn this, this sector must be regulated in order to prohibit the use of recycled paper used as food packaging in the informal sector.