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Open research questions in Food Safety and Hygiene

125 gap statements mined from Food Safety and Hygiene papers in our 4.5M-paper local library, which holds 873 papers on the topic — drawn mostly from each paper's own stated research gap, future-work, challenge and limitation notes, and its abstract. The ones listed below are a selection still marked open; each names the study that raised it, with a DOI link where the paper has one.

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What the literature leaves open

  • Further studies should investigate the actual microbial contamination of the meat products. Studies should also explore the effectiveness of interventions aimed at improving hygiene management practices in retail beef outlets.

    Evaluation of Hygiene Management Practices in Nigerian Retail Beef Outlets Based on a Survey of Key Principles · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a lack of research in Nigeria on integrated assessments linking retail infrastructure, hygiene practices, and food safety within sustainable food system frameworks. The study aims to address this gap by assessing the hygiene status of retail beef outlets and providing evidence-based insights for targeted interventions.

    Evaluation of Hygiene Management Practices in Nigerian Retail Beef Outlets Based on a Survey of Key Principles · 2026 · DOI

  • The adoption of simplified protocols, operational training, and systematic supervision is essential for mitigating microbiological risks. The study highlights the need for more resilient planning models for itinerant contexts.

    Desafios da segurança dos alimentos em uma unidade de alimentação e nutrição itinerante: análise higiênico-sanitária, execução do cardápio e controle da cadeia do frio em missão militar na Amazônia · 2026 · DOI

  • Lack of effective hygiene and safety management in food production and processing units. Inadequate infrastructure and environmental management.

    Systemic Weaknesses in Food and Packaged Drinking Water Safety: Evidence from Retrospective Sanitary Inspections in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (2016–2020) · 2026 · DOI

  • Our findings must be interpreted with the following limitations in mind.

    Evaluating hygienic practices in cattle slaughterhouses and beef retail shops in Sidama region, Ethiopia: implications for public health · 2026 · DOI

  • Further research involving larger datasets, multi-batch sampling, and a broader range of product types is required. The development of evidence-based risk assessment and regulatory frameworks for the plant-based food sector is needed.

    Microbiological quality and allergen assessment of vegan-labelled foods sold in Turin · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a lack of understanding of the microbial contamination of salad vegetables in Bangladesh. The study aims to address this gap by investigating the types and levels of bacterial contamination in various vegetables.

    Microbial contamination of salad vegetables commonly consumed in Bangladesh · 2026 · DOI

  • Creating a single, publicly accessible online portal that provides up-to-date information on all import requirements, procedures, and standards for every food category would significantly reduce uncertainty for economic operators.

    The Legal Regulation of Food Imports in Algeria: Protection Mechanisms and Health and Technical Standards · 2026 · DOI

  • The current regulatory frameworks and technological advances are insufficient to address food safety challenges. The human element is the most vulnerable component in the food safety chain.

    Modern Food Systems Challenged by Food Safety Culture · 2026 · DOI

  • Limited market availability represents a significant constraint on pasteurized milk consumption in Sri Lanka. There is a need to improve distribution systems and retail availability to promote the consumption of nutritious fresh milk.

    Market Availability and Household Consumption of Pasteurized Milk: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis in Sri Lanka · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a need to evaluate the implementation of HACCP in food service companies. There is a lack of research on the effectiveness of HACCP in reducing food contamination.

    Analisis Kesesuaian Penerapan HACCP terhadap Standar Keamanan Pangan pada Industri Jasa Boga di PT. Pangansari Utama · 2026 · DOI

  • Further studies should be conducted to assess the incidence of foodborne diseases among consumers. Studies should be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of training programs in improving food safety practices among poultry butchers. Research should be conducted to develop and implement effective food safety regulations and monitoring systems.

    Assessment of food safety knowledge and hygiene practices among poultry butchers in Chennai and its public health implications · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a lack of understanding of the occurrence of foodborne pathogens in meat handling systems in India. There is a knowledge-practice gap among poultry butchers in Chennai. There is a need for further training in meat hygiene among poultry butchers.

    Assessment of food safety knowledge and hygiene practices among poultry butchers in Chennai and its public health implications · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a lack of data on phthalate exposure from cheese in Saudi Arabia. Prior studies have focused on phthalate exposure from other sources, such as water and air pollution.

    Public knowledge and safe food handling practices related to packaged cheese in Saudi Arabia · 2026 · DOI

  • Contaminated utensils remain a significant source of microbial transmission. Conventional dispensers lack integrated sterilization mechanisms. There is a need for more hygienic and efficient designs.

    Hygienic Cutlery Caddy · 2026 · DOI

  • The lack of knowledge of food safety criteria among retailers. The inadequate infrastructure and resources for ensuring safe fruit supply. The limited understanding of the relationships among handling practices, retailer adversity, and consumer health outcomes.

    Fresh Fruit Handling in Tamale and Sagnerigu Municipalities of Ghana: Challenges for Retailers and Implications on Consumer Health · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a need to examine area-level factors associated with reported mushroom poisoning case incidence. There is a lack of studies using panel regression models to estimate associations between area-level variables and reported mushroom poisoning case incidence.

    Regional socioeconomic and environmental correlates of mushroom poisoning: an ecological panel study in Sichuan Province, China · 2026 · DOI

  • The complexity of food systems and the need to consider numerous factors and a wide range of risk impact indicators. The uncertainty associated with expert judgements.

    Weighting risk impact indicators in a food system: expert elicitation and analysis prior to inclusion in a multi-risk assessment · 2026 · DOI

  • Experts cannot be experts in all domains, which may lead to uncertainty in their judgements. The study used a limited number of experts (11) and a specific case-study (lentil food system).

    Weighting risk impact indicators in a food system: expert elicitation and analysis prior to inclusion in a multi-risk assessment · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a need to understand the relationship between environmental sanitation and disease transmission in traditional markets. The study highlights the importance of addressing the sanitation conditions of traditional markets.

    Gambaran Risiko Penyebaran Penyakit Diare Melalui Vektor Lalat Berdasarkan Kondisi Sanitasi Lingkungan di Pasar Tradisional X Indrapura Kabupaten Batu Bara · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a lack of information on the quality of elementary school snacks in Bekasi City. The study aims to fill this gap by analyzing the quality of snacks based on food safety aspects.

    Microbiology and Chemical Contamination Analysis of School Snacks in Bekasi · 2026 · DOI

  • The study was conducted in a specific context (humanitarian mission in the Amazon). The study had a limited duration (34 days). The study did not involve a control group.

    Desafios da segurança dos alimentos em uma unidade de alimentação e nutrição itinerante: análise higiênico-sanitária, execução do cardápio e controle da cadeia do frio em missão militar na Amazônia · 2026 · DOI

  • The dispensing mechanism occasionally released multiple utensils when several spoons or forks were loaded simultaneously. The evaluation was limited to one spoon and one fork at a time.

    Hygienic Cutlery Caddy · 2026 · DOI

  • Based on the findings of the study, the following are recommended: 1. Strengthen Continuing Food Safety Education. The City Health Office and relevant local government agencies may continue conducting regular food safety seminars, workshops, and orientation programs for street food vendors.

    Food Safety Knowledge and Attitude Among Street Food Vendors in Tagbilaran City, Bohol · 2026 · DOI

  • Furthermore, while restaurant workers are commonly viewed as the source of foodborne illness outbreaks that pose risk to consumers, these workers remain understudied as subjects of occupational risk despite frequent exposure to meat…

    Occupational Exposure and Economic Inequity Along a Game Meat Trade Network in Cross River State, Nigeria · 2026 · DOI

Most-cited papers in Food Safety and Hygiene

Most recent work

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Open questions raised by papers listed on this page include: (1) Further studies should investigate the actual microbial contamination of the meat products (“Evaluation of Hygiene Management Practices in Nigerian Retail Beef Outlets…”, 2026); (2) Lack of effective hygiene and safety management in food production and processing units (“Systemic Weaknesses in Food and Packaged Drinking Water Safety: Evidence from…”, 2026); (3) The development of evidence-based risk assessment and regulatory frameworks for the plant-based food sector is needed (“Microbiological quality and allergen assessment of vegan-labelled foods sold in…”, 2026); (4) There is a lack of understanding of the microbial contamination of salad vegetables in Bangladesh (“Microbial contamination of salad vegetables commonly consumed in Bangladesh”, 2026); (5) There is a need to improve distribution systems and retail availability to promote the consumption of nutritious fresh milk (“Market Availability and Household Consumption of Pasteurized Milk: A Propensity…”, 2026). 125 gap statements have been mined from Food Safety and Hygiene papers in our 4.5M-paper local library, which holds 873 papers on the topic; the gaps come from whichever of those papers state one. They are mostly the research gaps the authors state and the papers' abstracts, plus future-work, limitations and challenges passages. The ones listed below are a selection still marked open; each names the study that raised it, with a DOI link where the paper has one, so you can read the original claim in context.

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