Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors Related to Safe Food Purchasing of Vendors and Borax Contamination in Foods

Abstract

Borax is a dangerous substance to health and is prohibited from use in food. This survey research aimed to study knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors concerning safe food purchasing for selling of vendors and to study borax contamination in foods sold by stalls in a Sub-district, Muang District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province.The 21 samples were total stalls that have consented to participate in the research selected by a specific method according to defined criteria. Data were collected using a questionnaire consisting of general characteristics, knowledge, knowledge related to safe food symbols or markings, attitudes, and behaviors related to safe food purchasing. In addition, data were obtained from borax contamination testing with the kit from the Department of Medical Sciences. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics including frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. The study found that most of the subjects had high levels of safe food purchasing knowledge, knowledge related to safe food symbols or markings, and attitudes and behaviors concerning safe food purchasing. The results obtained from borax contamination testing of 46 food samples from 21 stalls showed that 66.7% of pickled fruit stalls and 10.0% of meatball or sausage stalls detected borax contamination. Although the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors about safe food purchasing were high, foods contaminated with borax were still found. Borax contamination testing results were provided to vendors to avoid selling such foods. Related agencies should take action to ensure safe food of these foods. There was clear evidence that foods remained contaminated with borax, so other areas where such food was sold should be tested for contamination. Many roles should be issued by stakeholders to ensure the safety of consumers.