Exploring the relationship between gender and food safety risks in the dairy value chain in Ethiopia

Women play an important but often unrecognized role in the safe production of milk and milk products, particularly in Ethiopia. Dairy products can be contaminated with biological chemical, and physical hazards. This article reviews literature on the microbiological and/or gendered aspects of milk handling in Ethiopia. Thirty-four articles were reviewed, many of which solely focused on either specific animal and/or foodborne hazards in milk processing or the role of gender in the dairy value chain. Contaminated farm environments put women at higher risk of exposure to milk borne, waterborne, and/or animal borne pathogens. Because of their primary role in animal husbandry, health, and milking, women play a crucial part in ensuring the safety of milk and milk products. To reduce foodborne disease and improve overall family health, there is a need to combine food safety research with gender sensitive interventions in Ethiopia.