FOOD SAFETY PRACTICES IN FAST-FOOD CHAINS COMPLIANCES AT GREENWICH SM FAIRVIEW QUEZON CITY

Abstract

This study investigated the food safety practices and compliance standards at the Greenwich fast-food branch in SM Fairview, Quezon City, focusing specifically on customers’ perceptions of various food safety measures. This study employed a descriptive research design to obtain quantitative data from a total of 100 respondents, equally divided between 50 males and 50 females. Data were gathered through structured survey questionnaires designed to assess critical factors such as water quality, food sanitation, freshness, packaging, and waste management. To ensure comprehensive data analysis, the researchers applied various statistical treatments, including frequency distribution, percentage analysis, weighted mean computation, and Z-test analysis. These methods enabled a systematic interpretation of the findings and facilitated gender-based comparisons where applicable. The findings demonstrated overall compliance with food safety standards across the majority of assessed categories. Nonetheless, significant concerns were raised by respondents regarding the freshness of food, the durability of packaging, and sanitation practices. Results from the Z-test analysis indicated statistically significant differences in perceptions between respondent groups concerning food sanitation (Z = 2.56), freshness (Z = 2.80), and packaging (Z = 2.24), all exceeding the critical value of 1.96 at the 0.05 significance level. These outcomes suggest a meaningful divergence in how different groups perceive these specific aspects of food safety. In contrast, no statistically significant differences were found in the evaluation of water quality (Z = 1.51) and waste management (Z = 1.34), as these values did not surpass the critical threshold, indicating a more uniform perception among respondents in these areas. The results revealed a critical gap between the implementation of existing food safety protocols and the actual experiences reported by customers, emphasizing the need for targeted improvements. In response, the researchers formulated a strategic improvement plan centered on four key areas: enhanced staff training, routine and systematic health and safety inspections, stricter enforcement of food safety regulations, and the establishment of a robust feedback mechanism to capture and respond to customer insights. These initiatives aim to elevate food safety compliance, increase customer satisfaction, and rebuild consumer trust in Greenwich’s dedication to maintaining the highest standards of food quality and hygiene.