SURVEY Ital. J. Food Sci., vol. 24 - 2012 1 - Key words: attitudes, food safety, hygiene, knowledge, nurse, practices - FOOD SAFETY KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES OF NURSING STUDENTS N. SANLIER 1 *, S. BILICI 1 , B. ÇELIK 1 and E. MEMI¸ S 2 1 Gazi University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Besevler, Ankara, Turkey 2 Gaziosmanpasa University Dincerler School of Tourism and Hotel Management TOKAT/ TÜRKIYE * Corresponding author: Tel. +90 312 216 26 04, email: ntekgul@gazi.edu.tr, nevintekgul@gmail.com ABSTRACT The aim of the study was to evaluate the perception of food safety knowledge of 662 nursing students (629 females, 33 males) aged between 18 and 26. A statistically significant correlation was found between food hygiene, personal/kitchen hygiene knowledge, food handling practices, food safety attitudes, and total score (p<0.01). The female students’ food safety knowledge, per- sonal/kitchen hygiene knowledge, food handling practices, and total scores relating to food safe- ty scored significantly higher than those of males (p<0.01). Results strongly emphasize the need for basic education in food safety throughout the nursing course.