Factors influencing compliance with inspection recommendations in food service establishments: A case study of Mansa Municipality, Zambia

Inspection reports reflect daily operations of Food Service Establishments (FSE) with indications on levels of compliance with food safety standards and regulations, thus, making them central to the enforcement processes in food safety control systems. While compliance with food safety standards and regulations in FSEs is often viewed by the number of non-compliances or inspection violations cited during inspections, non-compliance with inspection recommendations may be an indication of continued non-compliance to the food safety standards. Using a cross-sectional study design, we assess the factors that influence compliance of FSE with inspection recommendations in Mansa Municipality, Zambia. This involved extraction of inspection process details from inspection reports for FSEs inspected was analyzed, followed by the administration of a questionnaire to FSE managers or owners on management and socio-economic factors. The data collected was subjected to both descriptive and inferential analysis. Importantly, the study results revealed that administrative enforcement, follow-up inspections, and reasonable time limits to make corrections are necessary factors to be considered in inspection processes for food establishments to comply with inspection recommendations. FSE owners compared to assigned managers exert more influence on the establishment’s compliance to inspection recommendations when actively involved in the daily operations. Well-operated inspecting institutions and FSE owners play key roles in facilitating FSEs' compliance with inspection recommendations as this ultimately facilitates compliance with food safety standards.