Food Safety Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Among Fish Vendors in Local Fish Markets of Bangladesh: A Cross-Sectional Study

Fish markets are crucial in ensuring food security and nutrition in Bangladesh, where fish is a primary protein source for millions. However, inadequate food safety practices among vendors can lead to contamination, posing significant public health risks and undermining consumer confidence. Conducted between October to December 2024, this cross-sectional study used semi-structured questionnaires, face-to-face interviews, and focus group discussions to collect data. The research covered fish markets in northern and southern regions of Bangladesh, encompassing both urban and rural environments. A total of 446 fish vendors were selected using the Yamane equation, with a precision level of 5%. The majority of respondents were male (97.09%), aged 31–40 years (45.29%), and primarily operating in urban markets (73.32%). While no direct interventions were implemented, findings were used to propose targeted measures, including vendor training, infrastructure improvements, and stricter regulatory enforcement. Food safety practices and their association with socio-demographic factors were analyzed using descriptive statistics, binary logistic regression, and multivariate analyses. Data analysis revealed that full-time employment (OR = 4.51) and urban market operation (OR = 2.75) were strongly associated with better food safety outcomes. Although fish vendors demonstrated good knowledge of food safety, significant gaps in contamination control and hygiene practices were observed, with challenges including limited infrastructure, lack of training, and inadequate regulatory oversight. The study underscores the need for targeted interventions to improve food safety practices among fish vendors.