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A successful food safety intervention must be based on firm theories and a consideration of all relevant variables. The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent of improvement in food safety knowledge and practices of food handlers in primary school canteens through food safety training.

A list of 98 primary schools was randomized into intervention and control groups using a multistage sampling method. The training programme for the intervention group and questionnaires for evaluating knowledge and practices were developed. On-site observations were done to assess hygienic practices during the handling of raw food and cooking equipment. In total, 16 school canteens participated in this study.

Knowledge about personal hygiene and related to rules for preparing safe food was significantly improved after the food safety intervention. Some of the improvement was sustained for up to 12 weeks after the intervention. The self-reported practice score of food safety and hygiene in the intervention group was significantly higher at post1 and post2 compared to baseline. A significant within-group and between-group improvement was demonstrated for the observed behaviour of raw food handling and equipment sanitation.

The originality of this study is to provide a new framework for the design and implementation of food safety intervention in school canteens targeted towards a specific enabling factor for behavioural change. Provision of food safety training grounded by the theory of planned behaviour was associated with significantly improved food safety knowledge and behaviour amongst food handlers.

Health promotion and disease prevention by means of functional foods have become more popular among consumers due to the rising trend of non-communicable diseases. Driven by the increased demand, the authors aimed to investigate sensorial, nutritional and physicochemical properties of chicken nugget incorporated with unripe Cavendish banana and Flavourzyme® [Control (without banana and Flavourzyme®), F1 (banana only), F2 (Flavourzyme® only), F3 (banana and Flavourzyme®)].

Sensory evaluation was carried out by means of 9-point hedonic scale among consumer panels (n = 83) to evaluate control, F1, F2 and F3. These were then subjected to chemical (moisture, protein, fat, ash, carbohydrate, total dietary fibre, potassium and antioxidant contents) and physical (texture profile and water activity) analyses.

Sensory acceptance of control was significantly higher compared to other formulations. Fibre, antioxidant and potassium contents were significantly higher, although moisture, protein and fat contents were significantly lower in F1 and F3 compared to control. Remarkably, F1 and F3 were eligible to be declared as “source of dietary fibre”. Therefore, F1, F2 and F3 can serve as healthier alternatives with high antioxidant activity without compromising consumers' acceptance.

This innovative study generates unique findings pertaining to the nutritional values of novel functional chicken nugget and the formulation enables it to be declared as a source of dietary fibre. Results have contributed knowledge to existing literature as well as benefits food manufacturers in creating healthy functional food to better meet the needs and expectations of health-conscious consumers, healthcare providers, governmental organisations and consumer advocacy groups.

This study aims to construct comprehensive index of Tahfiz empowerment taking into account various factors such as social, intellectual, physical and religious, as well as economical. According to Maqasid Shariah, Malaysia has to establish a Tahfiz Empowerment Index (TEI) for the implementation of National Tahfiz Education Policy (NTEP) to ensure that Tahfiz institutions assist students’ development in a productive and meaningful way consistent with Islamic values and national educational objectives.

This study proposes the TEI using Maqasid Shariah to offer an organized framework for evaluating and improving the quality and social relevance of Tahfiz institutions. The TEI weaves the five fundamental aims of Maqasid Shariah – preserving religion, protecting life, fostering intellect, preserving lineage and ensuring economic sustainability – into measurable indicators. Comprehensive review of the literature supports the TEI and its using experts, and the TEI assigns equal weightage to each dimension and has provisions to address biases.

The TEI consists of five fundamental aspects: preservation of religion, life, intellect, lineage and economic sustainability. The results imply that systematic way of evaluating and enhancing performance of Tahfiz institution is crucial as the study proves the institution’s importance in the development of its students.

The TEI provides a systematic framework to be used in future empirical research that searches for the operation of Tahfiz institutions and their outcome. Moreover, it serves as a theoretical basis for further research on Islamic education and its alignment with Maqasid Shariah. It also propounds a holistic and inclusive approach encompassing improvement in educational possibilities.

The TEI has useful managerial and policy implications for the improvement of Tahfiz institutions. It can be used as a benchmark whenever the policymaker is in doubt about the quality, safety and equitable distribution of resources in education to achieve Malaysia’s NTEP objectives. The TEI also provides practical, tangible performance indicators for evaluation and benchmarking, resource allocation and strategy planning. It integrates Maqasid Shariah principles, focusing on areas like spiritual and intellectual development, economic sustainability and community engagement.

The TEI as part of Sustainable Development Goals 2030 contributes to social benefits: integrating the principles of Islamic education and human dignity and social welfare. It erases the existing gaps by providing the necessary means through such practices as offering vocational training to underprivileged students, contributes to social responsibility by enhancing mental health and encouraging services to the community, and ultimately improves community involvement through volunteerism and collaborations. Also, TEI directs the distribution of funds toward programs that should benefit underprivileged learners, thus maintain sustainable fund allocation as well as promoting social responsibility as per NTEP objectives.

This study presents a novel index grounded on Maqasid Shariah which is useful for assessing and improving the Tahfiz institutions. It gives a definite and systematic method of evaluating these institutions’ degrees of empowerments to meet all the diverse roles they play in the society.