ABSTRACT

This study aimed to assess the Hygiene practices and customer’s choice of outdoor catering services in Umuahia metropolis. The study was guided by three specific objectives which sought to: the study seek to: examine the standard hygiene practices in outdoor catering establishments services, ascertain the level of awareness and consumer perception of hygiene standards in outdoor catering establishments, determine if caterer's practice hygiene measures in outdoor catering establishments and examine various ways of improving hygiene standards in outdoor catering within Umuahia Metropolis. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design. A sample of 273 respondents from various outdoor catering establishments were used vas the respondents for the study. The use of structured questionnaire which was organized in sections was used in the collection of data.  The simple descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentage was used to analyze the data gotten and multiple regression was used to test the hypotheses. The findings showed that the respondents agreed on the importance of proper hygiene in food preparation and handling. The mean values for hygiene practices ranged from 3.26 to 3.61, with the highest ratings for regular cleaning and sanitizing of food preparation areas (3.58) and the least for food handling staff wearing clean protective clothing (3.25). Consumer awareness was also assessed, with respondents demonstrating strong knowledge of hygiene standards and the health risks of poor hygiene practices. The mean values for awareness and perception ranged from 3.26 to 3.57, with a high level of awareness about the health risks associated with poor hygiene (3.53) and the importance of hygiene in food handling (3.47). Furthermore, the study revealed that respondents preferred outdoor catering services that displayed visible hygiene certificates, with a pooled mean value of 3.74 for ways to improve hygiene standards, such as regular staff training and investment in pest control measures. The result highlighted the need for regular hygiene inspections, the establishment of handwashing stations, and the enforcement of hygiene standards through penalties for non-compliance. The study concludes that while many hygiene standards are adhered to, there remain gaps in certain areas, such as protective clothing use and skepticism about overall sanitary conditions.. The study recommended strategies, stakeholders can ensure higher standards of food safety and improved consumer satisfaction.