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Apr 30, 2022Keywords:
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Main Article Content
Food Safety Practices in Locust Bean Processing: Implication for Well-Being Attainment of Locust Bean Processors in Ogun State, Nigeria
Abstract
African locust bean (Parkia biglobosa) is very rich in food nutrients like protein and vitamins which make it a healthy source of food in the rural areas. Locust bean product (iru) has however been facing a lot of challenges particularly the non-compliance to food safety procedures despite the dawn of science and technology. Interview guide was used for data collection from 320 respondents whom were randomly selected. Data collected were analyzed with regression analysis. Results of this study showed that compliance to food safety practices was very poor by 6.2%. In addition, more than 60% of the respondents cannot cater for clothing, children’s education and health care with their monthly income, hence the well-being of 75% of the respondents was regarded poor. Results of regression showed that significant relationship exist between washing of hands before and after locust bean processing and well-being (β = 1.42). Also, results of regression showed that proximity of processing units to refuse dump sites, scarcity of raw locust seeds, and lack of modern processing facilities are most serious problems that affect the rural women’s well-being by 94%, 48%, and 34% respectively. This study concludes that food safety practices are determinants of well-being of locust bean processors. It is therefore recommended that Community Health Workers and Agricultural Extension Agents should intensify efforts on training and enforcement of food safety practices as this is very important for the quality, safe locust bean product and well-being of rural women in the study area.
