This study aimed to describe the practices of meat handlers and the monitoring practices of sanitation inspectors on meat shops. Specifically, it aimed to compare the practices of meat handlers from registered and unregistered meat shops as to: (a) facility and environmental sanitation, (b) meat-handling related measures and (c) personal hygiene. Moreover, it also compared the monitoring practices utilized by the sanitation inspectors on meat shops. A cross-sectional descriptive research design was utilized to describe the practices of meat-handlers and the monitoring practices of sanitation inspectors on meat shops. The total count sampling included the 75 registered meat shops/stalls recognized by the Zamboanga City Licensing Office. Convenience sampling was used in selecting respondents with unregistered meat shops/stalls. Hygiene and sanitation practices of meat-handlers were determined through direct observation and one-on-one interview using a constructed structured checklist that has been pilot tested and validated by an expert. Sixteen (16) sanitation inspectors from the 16 health districts of Zamboanga City were also interviewed to determine their monitoring practices using a pilot tested and validated questionnaire. There was a total of 136 meat shops/stalls included in this study in which 71 or 52.6 percent were registered with sanitary permits. Four (4) registered meat shops/stalls refused to participate and were excluded in the study. Findings of the study showed that there was no difference in the practices of registered and unregistered meat shops/stalls. Majority of the meat shops/stalls do not practice the recommended standards on facility and environmental sanitation, personal hygiene, and meat handling related Measure under the Sanitation Code of the Philippines. Meanwhile, the sanitation inspectors did not have a uniform method in monitoring the sanitation of meat shops/stalls. Moreover, majority of them agree that there was no unified measure in implementing the Sanitation Code among meat shops/stalls.

Keyword: Practices of meat handlers Monitoring practices on meat shops and meat handlers