A food contact surface refers to any equipment or utensil that comes into contact with food during its preparation, storage, or service (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2021). This includes surfaces from which food may drain, drip, or splash onto other food or onto surfaces that are in contact with food. Examples include cutting boards, knives, spoons, bowls, graters, strainers, tongs, pans, gas stoves, plates, and glasses. Food handlers are also considered part of food-contact surfaces due to their direct interaction with food. 

1. To analyzed the microbial contamination of food-contact surfaces in selected public elementary schools in Ilocos Norte.
2. Improve food safety training for food handlers, and stricter enforcement of hygiene regulations in school canteens.
3. Implement targeted interventions to minimize bacterial contamination, ensuring a safer food environment for students and staff.
4. Enhance sanitation protocols, proper separation of raw and cooked food-handling tools, and stricter hygiene enforcement.
5. Food safety training for staff on proper hygiene, safe food preparation techniques, and contamination prevention strategies to ensure compliance with food safety standards.