Hygienic Practices Among Fish Vendor in Panabo Public Market

Fish vending is a common practice in Panabo City Public Market, where fish vendors sell a variety of fresh and processed seafood products. However, the hygienic practices employed by these vendors are a concern, as poor sanitation and food handling can lead to the contamination of fish and pose health risks to consumers. The study aimed to determine the current status of compliance of fish vendor in terms of hygienic practices in Panabo Public Market. This study employed quantitative method and descriptive analysis. Simple random sampling technique was utilized in this study with the total of 128 fish vendors currently operating within the Panabo City Public Market. The data were analyzed using frequency. The findings revealed that while a majority of fish vendors maintained proper handling practices such as using separate containers to prevent cross-contamination and calibrating weighing scales, significant gaps were found in the use of potable water, cold storage maintenance, and personal hygiene. Specifically, all fish vendors failed to use potable water for washing inputs, none provided cold storage facilities with thermometers or maintained the required temperatures for fish products, and less than one-tenth wore clean aprons. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to improve water usage, cold storage, and personal hygiene practices among fish vendors to ensure food safety Fish Vendors should be educated on the importance of using potable water for washing fish and other inputs to prevent contamination, and local authorities should ensure access to potable water sources in the market. Local authorities should also provide training to vendors on the proper use and maintenance of cold storage facilities, enforce strict personal hygiene standards, and ensure accessible hand washing stations are available. Additionally, conducting regular training sessions on food safety practices and strengthening inspection and enforcement of food safety regulations by local health authorities are crucial for improving overall food safety standards in the market.