Food Safety Training (FST), East Africa Food Safety

Project Title: Food Safety Training (FST)

Target Countries: Ethiopia, Uganda, Mozambique, Rwanda, Kenya, Namibia, Zambia, Malawi

Principal Partner: United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Supporting Source: United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Collaborators: Department of Food Science

Project Description:

Due to the burden of foodborne diseases in Africa and lack of general food testing laboratory safety and quality assurance, it is necessary to revisit strategies and methods in food testing to combat foodborne illness deriving from handling, preparing, and storing food. This requires training laboratory personnel to detect biological and chemical hazards, assess data, and make recommendations based on their findings. The "Food Safety Training" (FST) program strives to close the gaps in the assessment of food safety in food testing laboratories in East and Southern Africa by providing these training services to food testing laboratory personnel. The developed curriculum covers cover all aspects of the food safety system, from understanding of food safety systems, to sample collection, recordkeeping, and to troubleshooting. It consists of online and face-to-face training modules with lectures, breakout sessions and hands-on laboratory exercises. Upon completing the modules and passing assessments with a 70% or higher, participants receive a "Certificate of Completion" from Penn State University. In addition to training, this project collects demographic data and evaluates the impact of the training on food safety knowledge, behavior, attitude, and skills of laboratory personnel.