This study was conducted to assess the self-reported and observed food safety practices (FSP) of food handlers, who deliver food products that are prepared and cooked at home during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines. 751 participated in the online survey who were selected using criterion sampling. A questionnaire developed by the researcher was used to gather data with Cronbach Alpha of 0.91. t-test, ANOVA, and Fleiss kappa were performed to treat data. There were no significant differences between self-reported FSP in four dimensions and demographic characteristics, except for age, where a significant difference exists between the FSP of the four age groups along food preparation (F ​= ​4.530,ρ<0.01). The FSP in the four dimensions obtained a weighted x¯ and σ of 1.72 ​± ​0.69 which is interpreted as Sometimes Practiced. The food handlers at home inadequately and inappropriately practiced the protocols in keeping the food safe to eat. The observed reports showed that the food handlers at home do not meet food safety standards as indicated in the weighted x¯ and σ in the four dimensions 1.63 ± 0.11, with a description of Sometimes Practiced. Observed practices further show very poor adherence to guidelines. Test for inter-rater reliability yielded almost perfect agreement (κ ​= ​0.81, ρ<0.05). There exists a significant difference with the FSP in personal hygiene (t ​= ​0.964, ρ<0.05), cross-contamination prevention and sanitation (t ​= ​0.815, ρ<0.05), food preparation (t ​= ​0.753, ρ<0.05), and food delivery (t ​= ​0.794, ρ<0.05). Government and non-government agencies should work together towards educating the food handlers at home on effective ways to learn about food safety concepts so they could become advocates of safer food practices.

This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes and practices on food waste of selected households in the northern province of the Philippines. The results of the assessment were used as bases for formulation of a recycling system. A total of one hundred rural households were selected using stratified equal allocation sampling technique. Data were collected through the use of researcher-made questionnaire with Cronbach's Alpha at .82, and was supplemented by observations. Factor analysis, Pearson r, and point-biserial correlation were used to yield findings in the study. Results show that a number of factors discourage the respondents' participation in the reduction and recycling of food waste, such as lack of facilities, insufficient training, and information dissemination. Household size (r=.199, p<0.05), monthly income (r=.282, p<0.01; r=-.217, p<0.05), and planning (r=-.243, p<0.05) influences the way the participants manage household food waste. On the other hand, age, educational attainment, and sex, do not significantly affect the way the household-participants manage food waste. One strategic and feasible solution is a compulsory food waste recycling system (FWRS) for private households to combat this pressing issue on food waste. This proposed framework is composed of four major moves that require the collaboration of various sectors and stakeholders in the community, and is expected to suggest valuable policy amendments including significant decrease in wastage of consumable agricultural products. Without doubt, the ongoing over generation of food waste is a serious global setback that needs to be urgently addressed. (c) 2020 GJESM. All rights reserved.

Southeast Asia is projected to be the fourth largest economy in 2050, where agriculture and food are key sectors contributing to the regional’s GDP. However, ensuring food safety and traceability remains a challenge in the region and this offers ripe opportunity for fraudsters to take advantage of the system. This study aims to provide an overview of consumers’ concern about food fraud in selected countries in Southeast Asia. A cross-sectional online survey was implemented in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, yielding 1393 valid responses. Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) was conducted first to reduce the large dataset containing nominal variables. After that, ordered logistic regression was performed to predict food fraud concern, with independent variables being dimensions derived from MCA, total knowledge and experience, and demographic characteristics. We found that respondents from Vietnam and Malaysia were significantly more worried about food fraud compared to other countries. Concerns about food fraud were influenced by increased demand for food fraud control, perceived risks of different types of food fraud, information sources from media and personal networks, information sources from credible organisations, and self-experience of food fraud. Practical and policy recommendations for the region were suggested. This is the first empirical study on consumers’ concern about food fraud in Southeast Asia. The study embodies the UK Global Food Security and UN Sustainable Development Goal No. 2 ethos of providing the growing global population with access to safe food.

This study examined the waste management beliefs and practices of selected households in a Philippine rural municipality. The sample used for this study involved rural families comprising of 332 households, which was drawn from the population using multistage cluster unequal allocation sampling technique. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze data gathered. Findings show that households encountered many problems when it comes to practicing traditional and modern ways of solid waste management. Moreover, it was revealed that participants were ill-informed about the various aspects of waste management, and that there was little reuse and recycling of waste materials among the households. In terms of the participants’ solid waste management beliefs, their ratings yielded a X̄ score of 1.08, which means that they generally have positive beliefs towards managing household wastes. When it comes to their practices, participants obtained a X̄ score of 2.59, suggesting that the selected households apply, to certain degrees, various acceptable waste disposal measures. Nevertheless, they also demonstrated beliefs and practices that were not environment friendly. From these findings, this study proposed a plan of solid waste management activities for households, which was collaboratively assessed by local government authorities. The proposed plan was unanimously accepted by the evaluators, who approved of the intervention’s wide-scale implementation in the province. A number of significant implications were offered in this study, such as conducting community workshops and campaigns for the effective management of solid wastes.