Food handlers’ food safety knowledge, attitudes, and practices in Taman Negara, Kuala Tahan

Foodservice businesses play a pivotal role in the hospitality and tourism industry. Travelers will usually frequent restaurants as part of their stay in any destination. Thus, food preparation should prioritize measures to ensure food safety and preservation of the wholesomeness of food, especially when it is handled by locals. Taman Negara, which is popular among international travelers, is one of the gateways to Malaysia’s many forest reserves. However, with the Covid-19 endemic, encouragement for domestic tourists to travel in Malaysia has also been made visible. Tourists from overseas and urban areas usually have higher standards for hygiene. Thus, this study aims to determine food handlers' knowledge of hygienic practices at restaurants in Taman Negara, Kuala Tahan. Data were analyzed using SPSS IBM version 22. Results show that knowledge of food hygiene among food handlers at Kuala Tahan restaurants is good with a mean score of above 4.50. The respondents strongly agree with the importance of sound knowledge of food hygiene practices. There is a good relationship between age, level of education, and training received with the food handlers’ food safety knowledge. It is found that certified food handlers have a very strong significant relationship with food safety knowledge(P<0.10). Through observation, the food handlers apply Good Hygiene Practices (GHP) and provide a proper hand washing area. There are no signs of pests in their facilities; however, the kitchen floor is below par for hygienic standards. There is still area for improvement in the overall cleanliness of the restaurants in Taman Negara, Kuala Tahan.