Food Safety Self-Reported Behaviors and Cognitions of Young Adults: Results of a National Study

2007 ◽  
Vol 70 (8) ◽  
pp. 1917-1926 ◽  
Author(s):  
CAROL BYRD-BREDBENNER ◽  
JACLYN MAURER ◽  
VIRGINIA WHEATLEY ◽  
DONALD SCHAFFNER ◽  
CHRISTINE BRUHN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Food Safety ◽  
Locus Of Control ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
National Study ◽  
Foodborne Disease ◽  
Food Handling ◽  
Handling Practices ◽  
Safe Food ◽  
Food Handling Practices

With limited opportunities to learn safe food handling via observation, many young adults lack the knowledge needed to keep them safe from foodborne disease. It is important to reach young adults with food safety education because of their current and future roles as caregivers. With a nationwide online survey, the demographic characteristics, self-reported food handling and consumption behaviors, food safety beliefs, locus of control, self-efficacy, stage of change, and knowledge of young adults with education beyond high school (n = 4,343) were assessed. Young adults (mean age, 19.92 ± 1.67 SD) who participated were mainly female, white, never married, and freshmen or sophomores. Participants correctly answered 60% of the knowledge questions and were most knowledgeable about groups at greatest risk for foodborne disease and least knowledgeable about common food sources of foodborne disease pathogens. They reported less than optimal levels of safe food handling practices. Young adults generally had a limited intake of foods that increase the risk of foodborne disease, positive food safety beliefs, an internal food safety locus of control, and confidence in their ability to handle food safely, and they were contemplating an improvement in, or preparing to improve, their food handling practices. Females significantly outperformed males on nearly all study measures. Future food safety educational efforts should focus on increasing knowledge and propelling young adults into the action stage of safe food handling, especially males. Efforts to improve knowledge and, ultimately, food safety behaviors are essential to safeguard the health of these young adults and enable them to fulfill the role of protecting the health of their future families.

Varying Influences of Motivation Factors on Employees' Likelihood To Perform Safe Food Handling Practices Because of Demographic Differences

2010 ◽  
Vol 73 (11) ◽  
pp. 2065-2071 ◽  
Author(s):  
JASON D. ELLIS ◽  
SUSAN W. ARENDT ◽  
CATHERINE H. STROHBEHN ◽  
JANELL MEYER ◽  
PAOLA PAEZ
Keyword(s):  
Food Safety ◽  
Food Service ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Food Handling ◽  
Service Employees ◽  
Motivation Factors ◽  
Handling Practices ◽  
Safe Food ◽  
Food Service Employees ◽  
Food Handling Practices

Food safety training has been the primary avenue for ensuring food workers are performing proper food handling practices and thus, serving safe food. Yet, knowledge of safe food handling practices does not necessarily result in actual performance of these practices. This research identified participating food service employees' level of agreement with four factors of motivation (internal motivations, communication, reward-punishment, and resources) and determined if respondents with different demographic characteristics reported different motivating factors. Data were collected from 311 food service employees who did not have any supervisory responsibilities. Intrinsic motivation agreement scores were consistently the highest of all four motivational factors evaluated and did not differ across any of the demographic characteristics considered. In contrast, motivation agreement scores for communication, reward-punishment, and resources did differ based on respondents' gender, age, place of employment, job status, food service experience, completion of food handler course, or possession of a food safety certification. In general, respondents agreed that these motivation factors influenced their likelihood to perform various safe food handling procedures. This research begins to illustrate how employees' demographic characteristics influence their responses to various motivators, helping to clarify the complex situation of ensuring safe food in retail establishments. Future research into why employee willingness to perform varies more for extrinsic motivation than for intrinsic motivation could assist food service managers in structuring employee development programs and the work environment, in a manner that aids in improving external motivation (communication, reward-punishment, and resources) and capitalizing on internal motivation.

Discovery and Development of Educational Strategies To Encourage Safe Food Handling Behaviors in Cancer Patients

2008 ◽  
Vol 71 (8) ◽  
pp. 1666-1672 ◽  
Author(s):  
LYDIA C. MEDEIROS ◽  
GANG CHEN ◽  
VIRGINIA N. HILLERS ◽  
PATRICIA A. KENDALL
Keyword(s):  
Food Safety ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Educational Resource ◽  
Food Handling ◽  
Handling Practices ◽  
Safe Food ◽  
Food Handling Practices ◽  
Risk Reducing ◽  
Foodborne Infections

Foodborne infections pose a threat to cancer patients who are immunocompromised because of disease or medical therapy. Comprehensive food safety education can raise cancer patients' awareness of risk for foodborne infections and encourage risk-reducing behavior. The objectives of this study were to assess food safety informational needs of cancer patients and to determine factors that may influence prospective educational interventions that foster risk-reducing behaviors. Focus groups with cancer patients were formed, and interviews with health professionals working with cancer patients were conducted. Findings were used to develop three educational resource prototypes for cancer patients. Information from two additional focus groups and interviews with cancer patients was used to evaluate the prototypes before revision and finalization. There was a general awareness among focus group participants that chemotherapy increased their susceptibility to foodborne illness and infections. Participants had a basic knowledge of safe food handling practices but did not necessarily link their awareness of increased susceptibility for infection with their routine food handling practices. When informed of specific high-risk foods, there was skepticism about compliance due to disbelief of the risk, personal preferences for the high-risk food, and lack of information about how to use the recommendation. Most of the health care providers agreed that food safety information should be provided by dietitians, physicians, and nurses, but physicians stated they had little time to do so. Cancer patients expressed positive attitudes toward the educational resource prototypes and willingness to follow the food safety recommendations provided.

scholarly journals Food Safety: Does Your Kitchen Pass the Test?

EDIS ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda B. Bobroff ◽  
Jennifer Hillan
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Food Safety ◽  
Foodborne Illness ◽  
Food Handling ◽  
Fact Sheet ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Handling Practices ◽  
Safe Food ◽  
Food Handling Practices ◽  
At Home

Older adults are at increased risk for foodborne illness. To help reduce your risk, follow safe food handling practices at home. How does your kitchen measure up? This 3-page fact sheet was written by Linda B. Bobroff and Jennifer Hillan and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, October 2013. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy926

scholarly journals A pilot study on assessing the sustainability of food safety and hygienic practices in street food handling system

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Krishnasree ◽  
P. V. Nethra ◽  
J. Dheeksha ◽  
M.S. Madumitha ◽  
R. Vidyaeswari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Safety ◽  
Microbial Contamination ◽  
Food Handlers ◽  
Food Handling ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
Street Food ◽  
Handling System ◽  
Handling Practices ◽  
Safe Food ◽  
Food Handling Practices

Street food vending units are on a rise in the country as they offer less expensive and a variety of delicacies to the consumer. It also supports the economy of the country as street foods are gathering a lot of attention through food tourism as well. On the other hand, a large number of population is thriving on it as a means of livelihood. However, the safety and hygienic practices followed in these food vending system requires large reforms. In this regard, the present study was undertaken to understand the awareness of street food handlers on food safety and to determine the microbial contamination of the street foods. The current investigation revealed that even though, majority of the food vendors were aware of the safe food handling practices, it was not followed appropriately during food preparation which resulted in higher levels of microbial contamination in their produce. The study also throws light on the methods that could achieve a sustainable food safety in the street food vending systems in the country.

Consumer Food Handling in the Home: A Review of Food Safety Studies

2003 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 130-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
ELIZABETH C. REDMOND ◽  
CHRISTOPHER J. GRIFFITH
Keyword(s):  
Food Safety ◽  
Observational Studies ◽  
The United States ◽  
Food Preparation ◽  
Foodborne Disease ◽  
Food Handling ◽  
Safety Studies ◽  
Handling Practices ◽  
Food Handling Practices ◽  
Domestic Food

Epidemiological data from Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand indicate that a substantial proportion of foodborne disease is attributable to improper food preparation practices in consumers' homes. International concern about consumer food safety has prompted considerable research to evaluate domestic food-handling practices. The majority of consumer food safety studies in the last decade have been conducted in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland (48%) and in the United States (42%). Surveys (questionnaires and interviews), the most frequent means of data collection, were used in 75% of the reviewed studies. Focus groups and observational studies have also been used. One consumer food safety study examined the relationship between pathogenic microbial contamination from raw chicken and observed food-handling behaviors, and the results of this study indicated extensive Campylobacter cross-contamination during food preparation sessions. Limited information about consumers' attitudes and intentions with regard to safe food-handling behaviors has been obtained, although a substantial amount of information about consumer knowledge and self-reported practices is available. Observation studies suggest that substantial numbers of consumers frequently implement unsafe food-handling practices. Knowledge, attitudes, intentions, and self-reported practices did not correspond to observed behaviors, suggesting that observational studies provide a more realistic indication of the food hygiene actions actually used in domestic food preparation. An improvement in consumer food-handling behavior is likely to reduce the risk and incidence of foodborne disease. The need for the development and implementation of food safety education strategies to improve specific food safety behaviors is reviewed in this paper.

scholarly journals Safe Food Handling Knowledge and Practices of Street Food Vendors in Polokwane Central Business District

Foods ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 1560
Author(s):  
Khomotso J. Marutha ◽  
Paul K. Chelule
Keyword(s):  
Food Safety ◽  
Central Business District ◽  
Food Handling ◽  
Street Food ◽  
Healthy Environment ◽  
Handling Practices ◽  
Safe Food ◽  
Reported Data ◽  
Business District ◽  
Food Handling Practices

Street food vending is a common business practice in most South African cities. However, street vended foods may be a source of foodborne illnesses if their handling is not well regulated and executed. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge and practices regarding food safety by street food vendors in the Polokwane central business district. This was a quantitative descriptive study where a structured questionnaire was used to collect self-reported data from street food vendors. A checklist was used to collect observed data from the vending site on vendor practices and status of the vending environment. A total of 312 vendors participated in the study, most being young females aged below 40 years (62%), single (51.2%) with less than six years of trade experience (58.3%). Although the level of knowledge was high, safe food handling practices were mostly inadequate. Most vendors operated their businesses in the open air and tents (66.2%). Vending experience significantly correlated with safe food handling practices (p < 0.05). It is significantly riskier to sell cooked rather than uncooked food in the street. Lack of resources like water and a healthy environment negatively affected food handling practices. Health promotion on food safety is recommended for street vendors.

scholarly journals Gaps in Food Safety Professionals' Knowledge about Noroviruses

2014 ◽  
Vol 77 (8) ◽  
pp. 1336-1341 ◽  
Author(s):  
KATHERINE M. KOSA ◽  
SHERYL C. CATES ◽  
ARON J. HALL ◽  
JENNA E. BROPHY ◽  
ANGELA FRASER
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Food Safety ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
The United States ◽  
Foodborne Disease ◽  
Food Handling ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Handling Practices ◽  
Food Handling Practices

Noroviruses (NoVs) are the most common etiologic agents of endemic and epidemic foodborne disease in the United States. Food safety professionals play an important role in protecting the public from foodborne illness. A survey of food safety professionals (n = 314) was conducted to characterize their knowledge of NoVs and to identify gaps in this knowledge. To recruit individuals, 25 professional organizations promoted the survey via their Web sites, newsletters, and/or e-mail distribution lists. The survey used true or false and open-ended questions to assess knowledge about NoVs, including attribution, transmission, and prevention and control strategies, including food handling practices. The online survey was available from mid-October 2012 to mid-January 2013. Of the 314 respondents, 66.2% correctly identified NoVs as one of the three most common causes of foodborne disease in the United States. Only 5.4% of respondents correctly identified the three most common settings for NoV infections, and 65.0% of respondents had the misperception that cruise ships are one of the three most common settings. Seventeen respondents (5.4%) answered all 20 true-or-false questions correctly, 33 respondents (10.5%) answered at least 19 of the 20 questions correctly, and 186 respondents (65.0%) answered at least 15 of the 20 questions correctly (i.e., a score of 75% or higher). The content domain in which respondents had the most incorrect answers was food handling practices. Thirty-eight percent of respondents incorrectly responded that it is safe for restaurant workers infected with NoVs to handle packaged food, food equipment, and utensils. About half of respondents did not know the recommended sanitizing solution for eliminating NoVs from a contaminated surface. The survey findings identified several important gaps in food safety professionals' knowledge of NoVs. The study results will inform the development of a Web-based educational module on NoVs to improve efforts to prevent the spread of NoVs in retail and institutional food establishments.

scholarly journals Improving safe food-handling practices by increasing self-efficacy

Food Control ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 108361
Author(s):  
Denise van Rijen ◽  
Enrique Mergelsberg ◽  
Gill ten Hoor ◽  
Barbara Mullan
Keyword(s):  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Food Handling ◽  
Handling Practices ◽  
Safe Food ◽  
Food Handling Practices
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