Linkage between food safety and food security in different households in Katukura village, Kabale District

Abstract

A dual relationship exists between food security and food safety. This is because when food is unsafe, it is insecure as the availability, utilization in the body, stability and affordability is all hampered with. The purpose of this study was to examine the food safety practices linked to the food security in the different households. A cross sectional survey was conducted among 50 households in Katukura village, Maziba sub-county, Kabale district, aided by a well-designed and structured questionnaire. Data was collected on demographic, household food and water sources, understanding of food safety and food safety practices carried out in their households. Majority of the respondents were female, married, attained at least up to higher education and in the age range of 45 to 64 years. Female respondents also had a better understanding of food safety compared to their male counterparts. Most of the respondents accessed their food from home gardens and purchase from shops or markets, water from taps and spring wells. There was a good relationship between gender, education levels and food safety knowledge. Females were actively participating in making food choices for their households, food preparation, hygiene, food purchase, health care for their children and most of them had sources of income that sustained their ability to afford food for their families. Married couples were at a higher advantage of food security due to the shard responsibility. The presence of the taps in their compounds also facilitated the proper hygiene in the homesteads that had them, this potentially prevents food borne illnesses that could hamper proper utilization of food. Educating household members on proper hygiene, food handling during harvest, transportation, preparation and consumption can potentially prevent food borne illnesses which hamper utilization of food. Policies to ensure that women have equal rights to land heritage, purchase and ownership in order to ensure that they are able to sustain their homes even in the absence of the husbands will potentially increase food security in all communities. Finding sustainable ways to cultivate, produce and consume safe and healthy foods while preserving natural resources should be everyone’s priority in the united fight to end global hunger and achieve food security by 2030.