The influence of training on food handlers’ hygiene knowledge and practices in the National School Nutrition Programme of a Cape Winelands sub-district municipality, Western Cape, South Africa

One sub-district within the CWDM was purposively selected for this research study due to logistical feasibility. The target population comprised all volunteer food handlers working at the purposively selected schools who were responsible for preparing and serving meals to learners in the sub-district. A total of 10 schools, five urban (town) and five rural, were included in the study. A cross-sectional study design was employed to assess the food hygiene knowledge and practices of the food handlers. Data collection instruments included a structured questionnaire designed to capture quantitative data, and an observation checklist aimed at collecting qualitative data. The checklist was developed based on the World Health Organization’s “Five Keys to Safer Food” (WHO, 2006) and the requirements outlined in Regulation 638 of 2018 (South Africa. Department of Health, 2018).