Spotlight on Food Safety Knowledge and Practices Among University Students in Bangladesh

This study investigated food handling and safety knowledge among 1,534 university students across four public universities in Bangladesh. The findings reveal low overall performance, with mean scores of 34.9% for food handling practices and 41.8% for knowledge. Female students, those studying food-related majors, and those involved in cooking demonstrated significantly better knowledge and practices. Students living with families had higher knowledge scores, while those sharing accommodations in mess environments performed better in practical handling. Moreover, students with housewife mothers, prior food poisoning experience, and active involvement in food purchasing showed stronger practice scores. Urban students exhibited higher knowledge levels compared to their rural counterparts. The study underscores the urgent need for targeted educational interventions to improve food safety awareness and behavior among Bangladeshi university students, promoting safer food handling habits and public health protection.