scholarly journals A Systematic Review on the Usability of Web-Based Applications in Advocating Consumers on Food Safety

Foods ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 115
Author(s):  
Wen-Li Seow ◽  
Umi Kalsom Md Ariffin ◽  
Sook Yee Lim ◽  
Nurul Azmawati Mohamed ◽  
Kai Wei Lee ◽  
...  

Food safety is an important indicator of public health, as foodborne illnesses continue to cause productivity and economic loss. In recent years, web-based applications have been extensively used by the online users’ population. Almost one third (28.3%) of online users found web-based application to be a notable source of food safety information. The objective of the current review is to determine the effectiveness of a web-based application systems as a health promotion tool for consumers to increase their knowledge and awareness of food safety. A systematic literature review was conducted by analyzing 11 selected web-based food safety education-related articles. The studies were categorized into several themes: (1) web-based applications used in accessing food safety information; (2) food safety evaluation and perception among consumers; (3) beliefs and level of knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of consumers; and (4) impact and contribution of social media use. A diverse number of online applications have been utilized to promote food safety education among consumers, yet these web-based applications need to be improved with regards to social connection and integration among consumers. KAP surveys were conducted on the majority of the respondents with a particular focus on their knowledge level. Findings show that web-based applications may act as an alternative to the traditional media in enhancing food safety education among consumers, especially youths who are tech-savvy.

2013 ◽  
Vol 781-784 ◽  
pp. 1661-1664 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Li ◽  
Wan Yuan Xia ◽  
Hai Lin Tang ◽  
Yan Hong Huang ◽  
Ling Zhang ◽  
...  

This study aims to investigate the Chongqing office workers cognition on food safety when eating out, then to provide basic reference about the food safety education for the office workers. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 2637 office workers in eight commercial centers of Chongqing municipal main urban districts by street interview, using self-designed questionnaire of Chongqing main urban office workers cognition on food safety when eating out. 2400 valid questionnaires were analyzed. 64.41%(1540/2391) of the office workers would pay attention to food safety problem. 14.73% (352/2390) of the office workers were aware of food safety grade rating, and the awareness rates of male are significant higher than female. When meeting with food safety problems, 80.87% (1936/2394) of the office workers would choose to exchange the dishes, 30.95% (741/2394) of them would remind friends not to consume, 23.73% (568/2394) of them would refuse to pay for the dishes, 10.74% (257/2394) of the office workers would claim for compensation, 9.36% (224/2394) of them would report it to the department concerned, 9.19% (220/2394) of them thought they had bad luck,2.92% (70/2394) of the office workers would choose to disclose it by media. The main channels of food safety information were TV (85.54%, 2087/2385), newspapers (68.60%, 1636/2385), network (55.89%, 1333/2385), and magazines (24.70%, 589/2385). The attention that office workers paid to food safety and the relevant laws, regulations and measures is low, and the office workers lack of right-protection awareness, Besides TV and newspapers, network has become the main sources of information on food safety.


2016 ◽  
Vol 118 (4) ◽  
pp. 762-776 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaohua Feng ◽  
Christine Bruhn ◽  
David Marx

Purpose – The positive deviance (PD) focus group is a novel educational intervention that allows participants to discuss their food handling behaviors and decide to try recommended practices modeled by people like themselves. Currently, most food safety education is delivered through reading materials. The purpose of this paper is to explore the effectiveness of food safety education utilizing three interventions: PD, personal story reading and reading standard material. Design/methodology/approach – A total of 89 pregnant women and 93 people with diabetes received food safety information through one of three intervention methods: PD, reading standard educational material (Standard) and reading material presented in a story format (Story). A survey assessed self-reported risk and food safety knowledge and personal hygiene before and after the interventions. Take-home assignments allowed participants to practice recommendations. Post class interviews and survey assessed knowledge gained and reported behavior change. Findings – Compared to those who merely read educational information, participants in a PD Intervention had higher knowledge scores and adopted more safe handling recommendations. Involvement of the participants and the length of information exposure likely contributed to the significant difference between the interventions. This suggests that food safety education is most effective when delivered in a supportive discussion format. Health education programs for these vulnerable groups should endeavor to deliver safe food handling guidelines through a PD approach. Originality/value – Previous research demonstrated the effectiveness of PD when delivering nutrition education. This is the first paper that explored the effectiveness of a PD intervention in delivering safe handling recommendations.


2017 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 65-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth J. Diplock ◽  
Andria Jones-Bitton ◽  
Scott T Leatherdale ◽  
Steven Rebellato ◽  
Joel A. Dubin ◽  
...  

The objective of this study was to explore age-specific reasons why food safety education might be important for high school students (in Ontario, Canada), from a variety of expert perspectives. In May 2014, semi-structured key informant interviews (n = 20) were conducted with food safety and youth education experts. A thematic analysis of verbatim transcripts of the interviews was conducted. Participants identified three major reasons why food safety is important for high school students: (i) they have current and personal needs for food safety information, (ii) high school is an ideal time and place to instill life-long good habits, and (iii) they are part of the foodborne illness risk landscape. Food safety education was deemed important for high school students, who were seen as a unique and captive audience in need of safe food handling skills, now and in the future, for a variety of reasons: potential employment advantages, improved food literacy, combating their sense of “invincibility,” and helping instill essential life skills that they may not get elsewhere. These results confirm the importance of food safety education for high school students and highlight the need to determine age-appropriate interventions and methods to engage high school students and improve their safe food handling practices.


Author(s):  
Han Chen ◽  
Tamara Benjamin ◽  
Wenjing Guan ◽  
Yaohua Feng

Production of value-added foods is of growing interest to small-scale produce growers. However, previous studies reported that they lack sufficient food safety awareness and have limited knowledge of applicable food safety regulations. Targeted food safety education can help to address these challenges. This study used focus groups and a combination of web-based and printed surveys to evaluate growers’ attitudes toward and knowledge of value-added business and to assess their food safety education needs. A total of 136 Indiana produce growers participated in the study, including 38 focus group participants and 98 survey participants. Overall, growers were aware of the importance of food safety, with 78% of the survey participants agreeing strongly that food safety was a top priority in value-added businesses. Most survey participants (82%) self-reported being knowledgeable about food safety. Most were confident in their ability to run a successful value-added business. The top two barriers that hindered growers from learning about food safety were time limitations and an overwhelming amount of information. Growers preferred to receive additional educational materials on selling non-home-based vendor products, communication strategies with regulators and inspectors, and marketing strategies; they trusted the information from extension educators and university extension publications the most. This study guides the development of future food safety education programs for small-scale growers who are interested in establishing a value-added business.


2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Tuverson ◽  
Christine Prue ◽  
Marjorie Davidson ◽  
Susan Schulken ◽  
Deborah Leiter ◽  
...  

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