Disaggregated gender cohort associated with related microbial hazards and critical control points in 'foofoo' processing system

Abstract

Gender consideration, a risk factor in food processing system can enhance efficiency of food hazards critical control points (CCPs) and corrective measures for food safety and public health. The study objective was to examine gender related association in 'foofoo' processing and hazards in project cycle. Disaggregated gender cohorts were female adult (FA), male adult (MA), male child (MC), and female child (FC). There were 16 processing steps divided into stages of raw processing, fermentation processing and finished product stage, hence each step represents 360° / 16 = 22.5°, ranked equally. Matching gender with hazards according to steps, step 1, unpeeled cassava, Escherichia coli has a mean count 1.3 × 104 > 103 cfu/g critical limit. CCP was established, and the gender cohorts FA|MC\FC responsible for this step, called upon for training/corrective measures for removal or reduction of Escherichia coli to tolerant level, and replicated in all steps in the processing chain.