Advisers

Angelica E. Beltran

Discipline

Hospitality Management

Abstract

This study investigated how students at Bestlink College of the Philippines (BCP) perceived food-safety and sanitation practices in campus canteens. Recognizing the importance of school dining facilities to student health, the researchers examined whether food-handling, storage, and cleaning practices met students’ expectations. The study used a descriptive research design and surveyed 150 fourth-year Hospitality Management students from the Annex and MV campuses. Students generally reported a high level of satisfaction, particularly with food-storage practices and the separation of cleaning chemicals from food-preparation areas. Most respondents strongly agreed that canteen staff maintained an organized and well-ventilated environment. Visible hygiene practices, including adherence to cleaning schedules, were described as the strongest factor associated with student trust. Despite the favorable perceptions, continuous improvement was recommended. Regular staff-training workshops, stricter personal-hygiene requirements such as the use of hairnets and gloves, and consistent monitoring may help maintain safe dining conditions and strengthen student confidence in campus food services.

Keywords

food safety, student perceptions, food handling, food storage, campus canteens, personal hygiene