DIP: 18.02.057/20251003 
DOI: 10.25215/2455/1003057 
Abstract
Ensuring food safety and maintaining high-quality standards in hospital kitchens is critical to patient health and recovery. This study investigates the impact of structured staff training programs on food safety practices and food quality in hospital kitchens across the Pune region. With hospitals catering to vulnerable populations, lapses in food handling can result in serious health risks. The research adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews with kitchen staff, supervisors, and hospital administrators from selected hospitals. Key areas examined include hygiene practices, food storage protocols, cross-contamination prevention, and adherence to regulatory standards before and after the implementation of training modules.
Findings indicate a significant improvement in knowledge, awareness, and execution of food safety measures among trained staff compared to those without formal training. The study also highlights a positive correlation between the frequency and quality of training sessions and improved patient satisfaction related to food services. Additionally, hospitals that implemented continuous training and monitoring systems reported fewer incidences of foodborne illnesses and received better audit scores during inspections. Despite some challenges such as staff turnover and resource limitations, consistent training emerged as a crucial factor in enhancing food safety culture.
The research underscores the need for mandatory, periodic training programs tailored to the hospital kitchen environment and recommends policy-level interventions to standardize training across the healthcare sector. By prioritizing staff education and practical skill-building, hospitals can significantly reduce risks and ensure high standards in food safety and quality. This study contributes valuable insights for healthcare administrators, policymakers, and public health professionals seeking to strengthen institutional food safety frameworks.
The author(s) appreciates all those who participated in the study and helped to facilitate the research process. 
The author(s) declared no conflict of interest. 
ISSN 2455-670X