Food Safety Implementation and Associated Challenges: Insights from Cambodia's Pangasius Fish and Chicken Farms

Since agriculture sustains most Cambodian households, food safety in the aquaculture and poultry sectors is a public health priority. This study investigates food safety practices and compliance with legal provisions through interviews with 20 participants across four provinces (Battambang, Siem Reap, Kampong Speu, and Takeo). The findings revealed critical deficiencies in hygiene, veterinary medical product management, and traceability. In addition to a detailed qualitative thematic analysis, Structural Equation Modelling identified veterinary drug control (β = 0.670, p < 0.001) and hygiene practices (β = 0.395, p < 0.001) as significant predictors of farm safety. While knowledge positively correlates with these practices, operational challenges negatively impact compliance (β = -0.466 and -0.497, p < 0.005). Notably, fish farmers reported using human medications (e.g., paracetamol) and often neglecting withdrawal periods due to limited VMP access and insufficient knowhow. While acknowledging the pilot-scale sample size, the findings of our modelling complement our qualitative analysis and provide a foundational model for future research. These findings suggest that farmer knowledge and systemic barriers are the primary drivers of food safety outcomes. The study highlights the urgent need for targeted training in good practices and responsible VMP use. Future research should explore scalable interventions to enhance regulatory compliance among smallholder farmers.