Assessment of compliance and associated factors of food policy implementation in Gasabo District

Abstract

Background: It is widely known that the unregulated food sector may result in chaotic manufacturing, unjust preparation and substandardized food products that can lead to short and long-term adverse health effects ranging from infectious diseases to chronic diseases

Objective: This research has aimed to determine the extent to which food businesses comply with current food regulations and identify the factors that influence food policy compliance among food businesses.

Method: A mixed method study design was used to determine the extent to which the food businesses comply with available food policies in GASABO District from June to September 2023. A total of 403 respondents participated in this study whereas 30 participated through focus group discussions.

Results: The following factors were significant to complying with available food policies: being a male food sector practitioner (AOR 5.5; CI 1.79 - 16.87), manufactured food product category being a low risk food product (AOR 2.83; CI 1.64 - 12.59), calibration of food manufacturing equipment (AOR 1,32; CI 4.36 - 16.87), access to adequate awareness on available food policies (AOR 14.1; CI 2.71 - 73.22), complete cross contamination prevention measures (AOR 5.78; CI 1.72 - 19.49), and having a responsible technician (AOR 0.61; CI 0.13 - 2.97). The extent to which food businesses comply with available food policies was found to be 89.08% whereas food policy implementation was attributed to stakeholders' engagement in designing policies.

Conclusion: The study concluded that food manufacturers who comply with available food policies are those who manufacture low risk food products, those who have employees who are trained and certified on food safety related themes and those who follow complete cross-contamination prevention measures.

Recommendations: This study recommended supporting female food sector practitioners in compliance with food policy through trainings. It again recommends strict adherence through enforcement inspections to both high and low risk food product manufacturers. Again, this study recommends regular calibration of food manufacturing machines to ensure consistency, accuracy, and safety in the food industry.