Analysis of hygiene, distribution, marketing and consumption practices in the poultry chain in Benin: a case study of eggs and sausages

Background and objectivesEggs and poultry sausages are widely consumed in Benin due to their affordability and high protein content. Nevertheless, inadequate hygiene practices during production, marketing, distribution, and consumption may pose significant food safety risks. This study assessed hygi...

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Main Authors: Cyrielle Hinson, Philippe Sessou, Nestor Noudeke, Paulin Azokpota, Georges Daube, Nicolas Korsak
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2025.1603743/full
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author Cyrielle Hinson
Cyrielle Hinson
Philippe Sessou
Nestor Noudeke
Paulin Azokpota
Georges Daube
Nicolas Korsak
author_facet Cyrielle Hinson
Cyrielle Hinson
Philippe Sessou
Nestor Noudeke
Paulin Azokpota
Georges Daube
Nicolas Korsak
author_sort Cyrielle Hinson
collection DOAJ
description Background and objectivesEggs and poultry sausages are widely consumed in Benin due to their affordability and high protein content. Nevertheless, inadequate hygiene practices during production, marketing, distribution, and consumption may pose significant food safety risks. This study assessed hygiene practices across these value chains.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted and involved 1801 stakeholders across five departments in Benin. Data were collected via a digitized, semi-structured questionnaire administered via Kobocollect. The survey data was structured in Excel and then analyzed using R software to calculate frequencies and to cluster similar profiles among different stakeholders.ResultsAmong the interviewers, egg consumption was 81.5%, compared to 5.9% for sausages. Three primary consumption methods were observed: boiling (87.2%), frying (71.9%), and raw (3.47%) for eggs. Regarding hygiene practices, 66.5% of handlers wash their hands before handling eggs, and 93.6% of selling locations are cleaned daily. However, eggs are transported under conditions that do not preserve their integrity, which may affect their quality when they reach consumers. Additionally, some eggs production farms engage in problematic practices such as antibiotic misuse and selling products without prior testing. Beyond eggs, the most common consumption method for sausage is frying (17.7%). Sausage production varies in processing diagrams, but hygiene and production practices are generally respected. However, significant concerns remain, regarding cold chain compliance, as sausages are not stored under appropriate temperature conditions. The study highlights the need to raise awareness among stakeholders within the poultry industry regarding the importance of adhering to good hygiene practices and their impact on public health.
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spelling doaj-art-ea591b1ee8a84bb98897347ceb11bc792025-08-20T03:27:43ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems2571-581X2025-07-01910.3389/fsufs.2025.16037431603743Analysis of hygiene, distribution, marketing and consumption practices in the poultry chain in Benin: a case study of eggs and sausagesCyrielle Hinson0Cyrielle Hinson1Philippe Sessou2Nestor Noudeke3Paulin Azokpota4Georges Daube5Nicolas Korsak6Communicable Diseases Research Unit, Laboratory of Research in Applied Biology, Polytechnic School of Abomey-Calavi, University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, BeninDepartment of Food Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, FARAH-Veterinary Public Health, University of Liege, Liege, BelgiumCommunicable Diseases Research Unit, Laboratory of Research in Applied Biology, Polytechnic School of Abomey-Calavi, University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, BeninCommunicable Diseases Research Unit, Laboratory of Research in Applied Biology, Polytechnic School of Abomey-Calavi, University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, BeninLaboratory of Food Sciences and Technology, Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, BeninDepartment of Food Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, FARAH-Veterinary Public Health, University of Liege, Liege, BelgiumDepartment of Food Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, FARAH-Veterinary Public Health, University of Liege, Liege, BelgiumBackground and objectivesEggs and poultry sausages are widely consumed in Benin due to their affordability and high protein content. Nevertheless, inadequate hygiene practices during production, marketing, distribution, and consumption may pose significant food safety risks. This study assessed hygiene practices across these value chains.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted and involved 1801 stakeholders across five departments in Benin. Data were collected via a digitized, semi-structured questionnaire administered via Kobocollect. The survey data was structured in Excel and then analyzed using R software to calculate frequencies and to cluster similar profiles among different stakeholders.ResultsAmong the interviewers, egg consumption was 81.5%, compared to 5.9% for sausages. Three primary consumption methods were observed: boiling (87.2%), frying (71.9%), and raw (3.47%) for eggs. Regarding hygiene practices, 66.5% of handlers wash their hands before handling eggs, and 93.6% of selling locations are cleaned daily. However, eggs are transported under conditions that do not preserve their integrity, which may affect their quality when they reach consumers. Additionally, some eggs production farms engage in problematic practices such as antibiotic misuse and selling products without prior testing. Beyond eggs, the most common consumption method for sausage is frying (17.7%). Sausage production varies in processing diagrams, but hygiene and production practices are generally respected. However, significant concerns remain, regarding cold chain compliance, as sausages are not stored under appropriate temperature conditions. The study highlights the need to raise awareness among stakeholders within the poultry industry regarding the importance of adhering to good hygiene practices and their impact on public health.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2025.1603743/fulleggssausageshygiene practicesqualityBenin
spellingShingle Cyrielle Hinson
Cyrielle Hinson
Philippe Sessou
Nestor Noudeke
Paulin Azokpota
Georges Daube
Nicolas Korsak
Analysis of hygiene, distribution, marketing and consumption practices in the poultry chain in Benin: a case study of eggs and sausages
Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems
eggs
sausages
hygiene practices
quality
Benin
title Analysis of hygiene, distribution, marketing and consumption practices in the poultry chain in Benin: a case study of eggs and sausages
title_full Analysis of hygiene, distribution, marketing and consumption practices in the poultry chain in Benin: a case study of eggs and sausages
title_fullStr Analysis of hygiene, distribution, marketing and consumption practices in the poultry chain in Benin: a case study of eggs and sausages
title_full_unstemmed Analysis of hygiene, distribution, marketing and consumption practices in the poultry chain in Benin: a case study of eggs and sausages
title_short Analysis of hygiene, distribution, marketing and consumption practices in the poultry chain in Benin: a case study of eggs and sausages
title_sort analysis of hygiene distribution marketing and consumption practices in the poultry chain in benin a case study of eggs and sausages
topic eggs
sausages
hygiene practices
quality
Benin
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2025.1603743/full
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