Application of Food Safety Management Practices in Catering Establishments Serving Petroleum Industry Facilities in Warri, Delta State

Contract catering establishments servicing petroleum industry facilities operate under heightened food safety obligations given the large workforce populations they serve in industrial settings. In Warri, Delta State, South South Nigeria, numerous catering companies provide meals to onshore petroleum facilities, yet systematic assessment of their food safety management practices is absent from the literature. This study assessed food safety management practices in ten contract catering establishments serving petroleum industry facilities in the Warri Industrial Area. An adapted Food Safety Management Assessment Tool incorporating elements of ISO 22000 and Codex Alimentarius Codes of Practice was applied over twelve weeks. Microbiological monitoring of kitchen surfaces, food contact equipment, prepared meals, and water sources complemented facility audits. Staff food safety knowledge was assessed using a validated written test. Results showed significant variability in practices across facilities, with four establishments achieving satisfactory compliance scores above 75 percent. Deficiencies were most pronounced in temperature control of bulk cooking, sanitiser concentration monitoring, and cross-contamination prevention. Microbiological analysis revealed Listeria species in two kitchen drain samples and elevated coliform counts on cutting boards in five establishments. Staff food safety knowledge was moderate, with a mean score of 54 percent. The study recommends mandatory independent third-party food safety audits for all petroleum industry catering contracts in Delta State, with contractual performance benchmarks tied to food safety compliance. Keywords: food safety management, catering, petroleum industry, Warri, Delta State.