ABSTRACT

“CODE BY AUL CANTEENS" ( An Undergraduate Thesis, Aquinas University of
Legazpi, College of Nursing and Health. Sciences, Rawis, Legazpi City, S. Y. 2013-2014)

This is a quantitative study that aimed to assess the implementation of the Sanitation Code ensuring food safety among consumers in the three canteens in AUL (Createria, Multi-Purpose Coop, Sandis) with reference to the Code of Sanitation of the Philippines. This study specifically sought answers to the following problems: What is the level of compliance of the canteens to the Sanitation Code in terms of food handling and storage and vermin control?; What are the factors that affect the implementation of the Sanitation Code?; and What recommendations can be offered to improve the services of the AUL canteen in the implementation of the Sanitation Code? Questionnaires were given to the respondents who were the consumers composed of students who ate/dined at their respective canteen of choice from November 11-12, 2013 and the canteen owners and staff themselves. The researchers used the Epidemiologic Theory and Florence Nightingale's Environmental Theory which emphasized the importance of food safety and the process of transmission of infection. The study utilized various related literature and related studies which provided discussion on certain concepts and theories that supported this study. The total number of respondents is 200; 60 from Createria, 60 from Multi-Purpose Coop and 80 from Sandis canteen. Statistical tools such as frequency, percentage, mean and Likert Scale were used for the interpretation of data.

The weighted mean of each indicator on the level of compliance of AUL canteens on the food establishment program of the Sanitation Code of the Philippines in terms of food handling and storage was added and computed to provide a summary.
The highest mean summed up from the three canteens is the indicator number six: canteen staff wears clean garments with caps or hairnet. The said indicator got a total of 3.98 which is regarded as mostly complied. Indicator number six is also the highest of the ten indicators from canteens B and C while it shorted by 0.03 percent from the highest indicator from canteen A which are the indicators number one and five both having a total of 4.08. The lowest mean of 2.24 calculated from all of the three canteens is from the indicator number ten: Availability of restrooms for consumers. It is evident from the result that the said indicator got its lowest placement from each every canteen.

Overall, Canteen A: Createria and Canteen C: Sandi's have complied to most in terms of food handling and storage, with an average of 3.80 and 3.69 respectively. Canteen B: Multi-Purpose Cooperative Canteen got a total mean of 3.23 which is considered as partially complied. Total mean from each indicators of the three canteens were also summed up on the
level of compliance to vermin control and the result showed that indicator number five: has sufficient floor space for workers/ canteen helpers got the highest rank with a total mean of 3.67. Lowest ranked is indicator number eight with 3.23: all openings which connect to the outer air are effectively protected with screen or non-corrosive wire. Canteen A and C have complied with most of the said indicators and got an overall mean of 3.65 and 3.67 respectively. Canteen B got 3.09 which is under the
partially complied. The factors that affect the implementation of the Sanitation Code were likewise discussed. The researchers used the statistical tools frequency and percentage to interpret the gathered data. Canteen A got its highest frequency from indicator number one:limited or insufficient space between each table and chair, with a frequency of 49 or 81.66%. It is obvious that this canteen got the least space among the three canteens. Lowest frequency in this facility comes from indicator number seven: lack of proper job description among the staff members, with a frequency of 13 or 21.66%. The one that the respondents thought to be the highest factor that affects the implementation of the sanitation code in Canteen B is the indicator number ten: presence of animals and insects including flies, mosquitoes, cockroaches and rats, which garnered a total of 41 or 68.33%. This being an open facility and also with the lack of staff may be the reason why animals can easily go through the area. Lowest frequency for this canteen is the indicator number four: proper ventilation and lighting is not observed because of structural condition/ layout of the building, with a total of 11 or 18.33%. Canteen C got its highest frequency from indicator number ten: presence of animals and insects including flies, mosquitoes, cockroaches and rats, with a total of 40 points or 50.00%. Indicator number seven: lack of proper job description among staff members, got the lowest frequency of 6 or 7.50%. Based on the findings, the following conclusions were drawn: the level of compliance in almost all elements of the sanitation code is seen most of the time by the students or the consumers visiting the three canteens. Its drawback is the unavailability of restrooms within its premises which indicates the absence of immediate access to wash basins which limits the consumers to wash hands. Another criteria which has the lowest mean is, all openings which connect to the outer air are effectively protected with screen
or non-corrosive wire; and the factors affecting compliance to the sanitation in canteen A are limited or insufficient space between each table and chair and the presence of animals and insects including flies, mosquitoes, cockroaches and rats in canteen B and C. In consideration to the result of the study showing majority of the respondent's observation of the three canteens in terms of factors affecting compliance, the university must be strict with regards to animal (dogs and cats) presence in the campus and vermin control program schedules monitored by the administration. Recommendations were also made in order to create and make changes with regards to the compliance of the canteen management of the three canteens in Aquinas University of Legazpi to the Sanitation Code of the Philippines standards in terms of food handling, storage and vermin control: considering that the major factor for lesser compliance is the most important aspect of food handling and sanitation which is hand washing, a move both from the canteen management and the consumers must be made which will benefit both of them. The university must provide wash basins on school canteens and keep sinks available, working and with hand soap so as to ensure the availability of resources for hand washing. As part of self-protection, consumers must take on their personal role of caring for them by bringing alcohol or hand gels all the time to ensure that once they use their hands especially in eating, they are able to ensure that they are safe and free from disease-causing microorganisms; canteen management must ensure that they have an updated health certificate and sanitation permit from the City Health Office for the benefit of their business and also promote their consumers' trust in their establishment. Thus this will encourage more clients to come once they have established a good reputation for having clean, sanitized and safe food service; consumers must be very vigilant on how they consume their food. They must have basic knowledge on identifying the adaptability and viability of food so as to have awareness on how to protect themselves from food-borne diseases; canteen management must have an opinion box and must conduct monthly surveys to be able to assess client satisfaction and at the same time for the consumers to have an avenue to be able to verbalize and provide constructive criticism and feedback regarding their services; the school administration, in assistance to the Department of Health, must conduct quarterly assessments of the sanitation code compliance of the canteens and must do this in random to be able to capture the normal, unprepared but truthful practices of the canteen personnel and the management along their compliance to the Sanitation Code mandates; presence of dogs and cats must not be allowed in the school campus for they pose harm and can be carriers of diseases that might contaminate the school environment. Presence of animals and rodents in the school canteens increases the risk of communicable diseases which may be transferred directly to the consumers, the plates and utensils, or worse to the food itself. Prevention is the key to good health. The researchers therefore suggest that the administration should sort out a plan to prevent the animals from entering the campus; and in consideration to the result of the study showing majority of the respondents' observation of the three canteens in terms of factors affecting compliance, the university must be strict with regards to animal (dogs and cats) presence in the campus and vermin control program schedules monitored by the administration.