title: Food sanitation practices in restaurants of Ramallah and Al-Bireh district of Palestine.
abstract: Safe handling of food in restaurants is a basic element in the reduction of foodborne illness. We investigated knowledge and practices about food safety by food-handlers in restaurants in Ramallah and Al-Bireh district of Palestine. A high proportion of workers in the restaurants had no previous experience in other restaurants and 63.4% had received no training on food sanitation and safety. Most of the restaurants in the refugee camps, villages and towns had only 1 worker. Restaurants lacked basic conditions for food sanitation and safety, such as hot water in most and cleaning materials in some. Many workers had poor personal hygiene practices. Training is needed for restaurant owners and staff to improve food handling practices and standards.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Community and Public Health, Birzeit University, West Bank, Palestine. ikhatib@birzeit.edu
authors.forename: I A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Al-Khatib
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Al-Mitwalli
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D004522:Educational Status; D005511:Food Handling / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005513:Food Inspection / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005517:Foodborne Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D006235:Hand Disinfection; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene / Q000193:education; D008877:Middle East / Q000453:epidemiology; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011481:Protective Clothing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012036:Refugees; D012147:Restaurants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017751:Safety Management / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population