This study was conducted to assess the self-reported and observed food safety practices (FSP) of food handlers, who deliver food products that are prepared and cooked at home during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines. 751 participated in the online survey who were selected using criterion sampling. A questionnaire developed by the researcher was used to gather data with Cronbach Alpha of 0.91. t -test, ANOVA, and Fleiss kappa were performed to treat data. There were no significant differences between self-reported FSP in four dimensions and demographic characteristics, except for age, where a significant difference exists between the FSP of the four age groups along food preparation ( F ​= ​4.530 , <0.01). The FSP in the four dimensions obtained a weighted and σ of 1.72 ​± ​0.69 which is interpreted as Sometimes Practiced . The food handlers at home inadequately and inappropriately practiced the protocols in keeping the food safe to eat. The observed reports showed that the food handlers at home do not meet food safety standards as indicated in the weighted and σ in the four dimensions 1.63 ± 0.11, with a description of Sometimes Practiced . Observed practices further show very poor adherence to guidelines. Test for inter-rater reliability yielded almost perfect agreement (κ ​= ​0.81, <0.05). There exists a significant difference with the FSP in personal hygiene ( t ​= ​0.964, <0.05), cross-contamination prevention and sanitation ( t ​= ​0.815, <0.05), food preparation ( t ​= ​0.753, <0.05), and food delivery ( t ​= ​0.794, <0.05). Government and non-government agencies should work together towards educating the food handlers at home on effective ways to learn about food safety concepts so they could become advocates of safer food practices.

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The COVID-19 global health crisis has resulted in the emergence of a new type of solid waste–inappropriately discarded disposable masks (DMs)–posing serious risks to the public health and to the environment. This study assessed the knowledge-(“K”) and self-reported practices-(“P”) of the general public in DM waste management. A researcher-developed instrument was utilized to gather data with a reliability coefficient index of 0.94. The survey was participated in by 13,116 online users. Pearson r and multiple linear regression were performed to test the relationship between the participants’ demographic characteristics and their K and P. Results revealed that the participants obtained a weighted mean and standard deviation of 1.15±0.10, which shows that 11,597 or 88.41% are knowledgeable on solid waste disposal and management. The self-reported practices of the participants obtained weighted mean and standard deviation rating of 2.16±0.10, which is interpreted as “Always Practiced”. This signifies that the participants adequately practiced the essentials in disposing DMs. Furthermore, there is a significant relationship between K and P with their demographic characteristics on disposing DMs like age, sex, level of education, annual income, and type of residence. The obtained Pearson r =-0.178 ( p <.01) indicates that the level of knowledge of the participants is significantly related to the practices they apply in disposing used DMs. As a recommendation, campaigns and interventions on the proper disposal of DMs should be put forward and implemented, utilizing various social media resources and platforms that are conveniently accessible to the general public.

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