Knowledge and Practice of Good Manufacturing Procedures Among Employees of Small-Scale Food Processing Enterprises in Ogun State

Good Manufacturing Practices represent the foundation of safe and consistent food production, yet their adoption among small and medium food enterprises in Nigeria remains largely inadequate. Ogun State in South West Nigeria hosts a considerable number of small-scale food processing enterprises benefiting from proximity to Lagos consumer markets. This study assessed the knowledge and practice of Good Manufacturing Practices among 180 food processing employees in thirty registered food enterprises across Abeokuta, Sagamu, and Ijebu-Ode. A structured questionnaire and facility observation checklist adapted from the Codex Alimentarius General Principles of Food Hygiene were used for data collection. Topics covered included personal hygiene, sanitation of premises and equipment, pest control, water quality, waste management, and documentation practices. Results showed that 72 percent of respondents had heard of Good Manufacturing Practices, but only 34 percent demonstrated satisfactory knowledge of specific requirements. Observation data confirmed that only 18 percent of facilities maintained documented sanitation procedures. Personal protective equipment use was inconsistent in 65 percent of enterprises. Pest control practices were inadequate in 44 percent of facilities. Enterprises with National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control certification demonstrated significantly better practices across all parameters. The study recommends mandatory Good Manufacturing Practice capacity building for all food processing enterprise employees in Ogun State as a prerequisite for certification. Keywords: Good Manufacturing Practices, food safety, small enterprises, Ogun State, sanitation.