The impact of food safety on street food consumption among university students: The case of Ankara province

This study aims to examine the effect of university students' food safety perceptions on their street food consumption preferences. Street foods are frequently preferred by young consumers due to their affordability and accessibility, yet their hygiene conditions pose significant public health concerns. The study highlights the importance of identifying how food safety awareness influences consumption behaviors in this context. The research was conducted with 500 university students residing in Ankara, selected for its large student population and socio-economic diversity. Data were collected through a questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS. Findings indicate that female students prioritize hygiene more than males. Hygiene expectations increase with age and income, while frequent consumers focus more on taste and price than hygiene. Overall, street food consumption habits significantly vary based on demographic factors and food safety perceptions.