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This study delves into the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of vegetable handlers in Jashore Sadar, Bangladesh, specifically focusing on the crucial significance of food safety across the entire farm-to-fork process. Integrating quantitative and qualitative data provides a multifaceted depiction of this pivotal component within the food supply chain. Ten focus group discussions were conducted, and in total, 50 vegetable handlers were interviewed separately. In the survey, there were 17 questions on food safety knowledge, 16 on food safety attitudes, and 17 on food safety-related practices followed by vegetable handlers. We found that while approximately 60% of handlers had good knowledge about food safety, only about one-quarter of the interviewed vegetable handlers had good attitudes and practices toward food safety. The attitudes and practices of individuals involved in handling vegetables demonstrate a complex range of variations shaped by factors such as educational background, prior experience, and availability of food safety training. Concerns regarding the rising expenses linked to adherence to food safety regulations and a perceived lack of accountability among those involved were also noted. The interviewed wholesaler group reported that approximately BDT 100-150 (USD 0.91-1.37 1 )/maund 1 was incurred in maintaining proper safety practices, while the interviewed retailer group said costs would increase by BDT 20-40 (USD 0.18-0.36)/maund if they followed proper handling practices. It is important to note that vegetable handlers recognize the favorable economic consequences of implementing appropriate food safety measures. This study highlights the significance of implementing focused educational and policy interventions to address knowledge disparities and encourage the adoption of food safety procedures among individuals involved in handling vegetables., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Foodborne disease is a major health problem worldwide and unhealthy food handling practices are a cause of foodborne disease (FBD) transmission among – populations. Red meat handlers play an important role in ensuring food safety throughout production, processing, transportation, and preparation. This study investigates the food safety knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of red meat handlers in the Dhaka megacity of Bangladesh (DMCB). Four hundred cross-sectional samples were collected from the DMCB using a pretested survey-structured questionnaire. Descriptive, and inferential statistics, and the KAP model were applied using partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) with the help of SmartPLS 0.3 software to achieve objectives. All factor loading scores (>0.5) and Cronbach's alpha (α ≥ 0.69) were greater than the reference value, which means that indicators of reliability and internal consistency measure latent variables. The results found a significant positive association between red meat handling practice and knowledge and attitude. Red meat handlers' knowledge has a moderating effect on the relationship between attitude and practice, where attitude positively affects practices toward food safety. The findings revealed that the KAP model met the goodness-of-fit criteria (HTMT<1, SRMR<0.08, NFI>0.90) and was acceptable (AVF≤0.50). The estimated model for food safety knowledge, attitude, and practices is well-suited and deemed acceptable. The findings also reveal that food safety knowledge has a significant and beneficial impact on food safety attitudes. Furthermore, attitudes regarding food safety and its measures are linked in a significant way. The findings could aid public health professionals and practitioners in developing focused initiatives to improve meat handlers' food safety knowledge and practices and prevent FBD. The government should pay special attention to improving food safety knowledge and ensuring quality handling practices to protect FBD transmission in the DMCB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]