Observational Trial of Safe Food Handling Behavior during Food Preparation Using the Example of Campylobacter spp.

2013 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 482-489 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. HOELZL ◽  
U. MAYERHOFER ◽  
M. STEININGER ◽  
W. BRÜLLER ◽  
D. HOFSTÄDTER ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Safety ◽  
Further Education ◽  
Contamination Rate ◽  
Elderly Persons ◽  
Cross Contamination ◽  
Food Handling ◽  
Limit Of Quantification ◽  
Observational Trial ◽  
Hygiene Measures ◽  
Safe Food

Campylobacter infections are one of the most prominent worldwide food-related diseases. The primary cause of these infections is reported to be improper food handling, in particular cross-contamination during domestic preparation of raw chicken products. In the present study, food handling behaviors in Austria were surveyed and monitored, with special emphasis on Campylobacter cross-contamination. Forty participants (25 mothers or fathers with at least one child ≤10 years of age and 15 elderly persons ≥60 years of age) were observed during the preparation of a chicken salad (chicken slices plus lettuce, tomato, and cucumber) using a direct structured observational scoring system. The raw chicken carcasses and the vegetable part of the salad were analyzed for Campylobacter. A questionnaire concerning knowledge, attitudes, and interests related to food safety issues was filled out by the participants. Only 57% of formerly identified important hygiene measures were used by the participants. Deficits were found in effective hand washing after contact with raw chicken meat, but proper changing and cleaning of the cutting board was noted. Campylobacter was present in 80% of raw chicken carcasses, albeit the contamination rate was generally lower than the limit of quantification (10 CFU/g). In the vegetable part of the prepared product, no Campylobacter was found. This finding could be due to the rather low Campylobacter contamination rate in the raw materials and the participants' use of some important food handling behaviors to prevent cross-contamination. However, if the initial contamination had been higher, the monitored deficits in safe food handling could lead to quantifiable risks, as indicated in other published studies. The results of the observational trial and the questionnaire indicated knowledge gaps in the food safety sector, suggesting that further education of the population is needed to prevent the onset of foodborne diseases.

Trends in U.S. Consumers' Safe Handling and Consumption of Food and Their Risk Perceptions, 1988 through 2010

2011 ◽  
Vol 74 (9) ◽  
pp. 1513-1523 ◽  
Author(s):  
SARA B. FEIN ◽  
AMY M. LANDO ◽  
ALAN S. LEVY ◽  
MARIO F. TEISL ◽  
CAROLINE NOBLET
Keyword(s):  
Food Safety ◽  
Media Coverage ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Foodborne Illness ◽  
Cross Contamination ◽  
Food Handling ◽  
Safety Issues ◽  
Consumption Practices ◽  
Safe Food

Although survey results measuring the safety of consumers' food handling and risky food consumption practices have been published for over 20 years, evaluation of trends is impossible because the designs of published studies are not comparable. The Food Safety Surveys used comparable methods to interview U.S. adults by telephone in 1988, 1993, 2001, 2006, and 2010 about food handling (i.e., cross-contamination prevention) and risky consumption practices (eating raw or undercooked foods from animals) and perceived risk from foodborne illness. Sample sizes ranged from 1,620 to 4,547. Responses were analyzed descriptively, and four indices measuring meat, chicken, and egg cross-contamination, fish cross-contamination, risky consumption, and risk perceptions were analyzed using generalized linear models. The extent of media coverage of food safety issues was also examined. We found a substantial improvement in food handling and consumption practices and an increase in perceived risk from foodborne illness between 1993 and 1998. All indices were stable or declined between 1998 and 2006. Between 2006 and 2010, the two safe food handling practice indices increased significantly, but risk perceptions did not change, and safe consumption declined. Women had safer food handling and consumption practices than men. The oldest and youngest respondents and those with the highest education had the least safe food handling behaviors. Changes in safety of practices over the survey years are consistent with the change in the number of media stories about food safety in the periods between surveys. This finding suggests that increased media attention to food safety issues may raise awareness of food safety hazards and increase vigilance in food handling by consumers.

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.

scholarly journals Knowledge and Consumer Behavior Related to Safe Practices of Food Handling

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graziela Alvarez Corrêa da Costa ◽  
Rita De Cássia Akutsu ◽  
Lorenza R. dos Reis Gallo ◽  
Wilma Maria Coelho Araújo
Keyword(s):  
Food Safety ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Food Production ◽  
College Graduates ◽  
Food Poisoning ◽  
Food Handling ◽  
Cronbach’S Alpha ◽  
Cronbach's Alpha ◽  
Handling Practices ◽  
Safe Food

<p class="1"><span lang="EN-US">The purpose of this research was to analyze the perceptions and practices of participants involved in safe food handling. The sample was composed by 204 participants. To assess behavior, knowledge and psychosocial factors, the instrument used was divided in six topics: sociodemographic characteristics; behavioral measures regarding safe food production; measures about knowledge and practices in pest control and food purchase; Food Safety scale with two factors and Cronbach's alpha of 0.75; Credence declaration scale with three factors and Cronbach's alpha of 0.78, both scales with seven points, Likert type; Self-efficacy scale with one factor and Cronbach's alpha of 0.86, also Likert type with five points. A linear model of multiple variance analysis was used to evaluate if the variables gender, age, income, education and professional experience were used to determine the behavioral, knowledge and psychosocial measures. When the detected differences were significant, a post-hoc analysis was used with the Tukey adjustment. The knowledge about safe food production and food poisoning showed that 95.1% of participants consider <em>very important</em> hygiene precautions in food preparation in their homes; 30.4% of participants said that they or someone in their family have developed symptoms related to food poisoning in the last 12 months. The data obtained for self-efficacy showed significant differences for the variables gender, age and education. Women and college graduates replied that they <em>Are Sure they Can Do That </em>when asked about the execution of tasks that promote food safety. </span><span lang="EN-US">These results substantiate the need for educational initiatives tailored to develop the food safety knowledge and food-handling practices in Brasil.</span><strong></strong></p>

Behavioral Observation and Microbiological Analysis of Older Adult Consumers' Cross-Contamination Practices in a Model Domestic Kitchen

2018 ◽  
Vol 81 (4) ◽  
pp. 569-581 ◽  
Author(s):  
ELLEN W. EVANS ◽  
ELIZABETH C. REDMOND
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Food Safety ◽  
Behavioral Observation ◽  
Microbiological Analysis ◽  
Cross Contamination ◽  
Microbiological Contamination ◽  
Food Handling ◽  
Safety Practices ◽  
Handling Practices ◽  
Food Handling Practices

ABSTRACT The incidence of foodborne illness is higher in older adults because of their increased susceptibility; therefore, food safety practices are important. However, inadequate knowledge and negative attitudes toward food safety have been reported, which may increase use of unsafe food handling practices. Data on the actual food safety behaviors of older adults are lacking. In this study, food safety practices of older adults were observed and linked to microbiological analysis of kitchen surfaces to identify suspected routes of contamination. Older adults (≥60 years, n = 100) prepared a set meal in a model domestic kitchen sanitized according to a validated protocol to ensure minimal and consistent microbiological loads. Food safety behaviors were observed using ceiling-mounted cameras and recorded using a predetermined behavioral checklist. Surface microbiological contamination also was determined after food preparation. Overall, older adults frequently implemented unsafe food handling practices; 90% failed to implement adequate hand decontamination immediately after handling raw chicken. For older adults who used a larger number of adequate hand decontamination attempts, microbiological contamination levels in the kitchen following the food preparation session were significantly lower (P &lt; 0.001). The novel utilization of behavioral observation in conjunction with microbiological analysis facilitated identification of potentially unsafe food handling practices as suspected routes of microbiological cross-contamination in a model domestic kitchen. Findings indicate the potential impact on domestic food safety of unsafe food handling practices used by older adult consumers. This innovative approach revealed that a large proportion of older adults implement behaviors resulting in microbiological cross-contamination that may increase the risk of foodborne illness in the home.

Food Safety Beliefs and Barriers to Safe Food Handling among WIC Program Clients, Miami, Florida

2006 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 371-377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Jo Trepka ◽  
Violet Murunga ◽  
Syreeta Cherry ◽  
Fatma G. Huffman ◽  
Zisca Dixon
Keyword(s):  
Food Safety ◽  
Food Handling ◽  
Wic Program ◽  
Safe Food

Use of Health Belief Model Variables To Examine Self-Reported Food Handling Behaviors in a Sample of U.S. Adults Attending a Tailgate Event

2015 ◽  
Vol 78 (12) ◽  
pp. 2177-2183 ◽  
Author(s):  
JENNIFER A. HANSON ◽  
SUSAN M. HUGHES ◽  
PEI LIU
Keyword(s):  
Health Belief Model ◽  
Health Belief ◽  
Foodborne Illness ◽  
Perceived Threat ◽  
Cross Contamination ◽  
Food Handling ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Perceived Severity ◽  
Safe Food ◽  
Belief Model

Unsafe food handling behaviors are common among consumers, and, given the venue, individuals attending a tailgating event may be at risk for foodborne illness. The objective of this study was to measure the association between Health Belief Model variables and self-reported usual food handling behaviors in a convenience sample of men and women at a tailgate event. Participants (n = 128) completed validated subscales for self-reported food handling behaviors (i.e., cross-contamination, sanitation), perceived threat of foodborne illness (i.e., perceived severity, perceived susceptibility), and safe food handling cues to action (i.e., media cues, educational cues). Perceived severity of foodborne illness was associated with safer behaviors related to sanitation (r = 0.40; P &lt; 0.001) and cross-contamination (r = 0.33; P = 0.001). Perceived severity of foodborne illness was also associated with exposure to safe food handling media cues (r = 0.20; P = 0.027) but not with safe food handling educational cues. A large proportion of participants reported that they never or seldom (i) read newspaper or magazine articles about foodborne illness (65.6%); (ii) read brochures about safe ways to handle food (61.7%); (iii) see store displays that explain ways to handle food (51.6%); or (iv) read the “safe handling instructions” on packages of raw meat and poultry (46.9%). Perceived severity of foodborne illness was positively related to both dimensions of safe food handling as well as with safe food handling media cues. Except for the weak correlation between media cues and perceived severity, the relationships between safe food handling cues and perceived threat, as well as between safe food handling cues and behaviors, were nonsignificant. This finding may be due, in part, to the participants' overall low exposure to safe food handling cues. The overall results of this study reinforce the postulate that perceived severity of foodborne illness may influence food handling behaviors.

scholarly journals Assessment of Food Safety Knowledge and Compliance to Hygienic Practices among Street Food Vendors in Zanzibar Urban District

2020 ◽  
pp. 59-72
Author(s):  
Jamila K. Hassan ◽  
Leonard W. T. Fweja
Keyword(s):  
Food Safety ◽  
Formal Training ◽  
Food Handling ◽  
Urban District ◽  
Great Awareness ◽  
Street Food ◽  
Hygiene Measures ◽  
Handling Practices ◽  
Chi Square Analysis ◽  
Food Handling Practices

This cross-sectional descriptive study assessed the hygienic and safety measures among street food vendors in the Urban district of Zanzibar. A total of 265 food vendors with immobile food vending units were involved. Data were gathered using a structured researcher-administered questionnaire and complemented with observation. Compliance ranks to food safety and hygiene were established based on computed compliance scores. Descriptive statistics and chi-squared tests (α = 0.05) were employed in data analyses. The results indicated that only a moderate fraction of the vendors have had formal training in food safety and hygiene, however the majority of whom demonstrated great awareness about food safety and hygiene. Among the surveyed vending sites 36% appeared clean, 50.2% and 42.6% vending sites had waste bin and / or refuse sites respectively, wash basin (44.9%) and soap availability (47.2%).  Safe food handling practices included food covering (57.4%), adequate protection of food from flies and dust (40.8%), cold preservation of food (28.3%), saving food hot or reheated before sale (35.1%), dishing out food with appropriate gadgets (53%). Observed good food hygiene conducts included washing hands with soap before preparing food (always 63%, sometimes 34%), washing hands with soap after toilet visit (always 33.2%, sometimes 46.8%), clean finger nail (98.5%), hair protection (33.6%) and use of apron (29%). The results likewise indicate an overall compliance of 0.50 on environmental hygiene of vending site, 0.45 on food handling practices, and 0.66 on vendors’ hygiene and sanitary practices. This implies an average overall compliance with the hygiene of the vending site and food handling practices and good overall compliance with the vendors’ hygiene and sanitary practices. Chi-square analysis revealed that gender, education attainments, formal training on food safety and vending duration are influencing factors for food safety and hygiene measures.

scholarly journals Challenges and Opportunities in Food Safety-A Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 20-28
Author(s):  
Iram Asim ◽  
Humaira Yasmeen
Keyword(s):  
Food Safety ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Emerging Infectious Diseases ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Food Handling ◽  
Food Borne ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Strict Regulation ◽  
Safe Food

Food-borne diseases are the group of disorders that are caused by consuming food having microbial existence in it. So safe food handling is to make sure the lessening of detrimental effects in growth to the packaging of food to minimize health issues on consumers which otherwise can lead to large scale disease outburst. This review concludes the findings of the studies on how food is being handled from farm to fork, how airlines are contributing towards the spreading of diseases, how any negligence in any one of the steps can cause havoc to mankind in the light of the recent coronavirus pandemic. This review suggests the methods for the detection of food-borne viruses and the challenges for the regulation of zoonotic outbursts. This review recommends strict regulation, updating of the food handling policies, and ways to control emerging infectious diseases in relation to food.

scholarly journals How accurate is food safety advice online?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Lum ◽  
Ian Young
Keyword(s):  
Food Safety ◽  
Food Handling ◽  
Question And Answer ◽  
Safe Food

Researchers conducted a study to assess the accuracy of safe food handling advice posted on question and-answer (Q&A) websites and forums. The researchers evaluated 625 answers to 160 questions posted between 2006 and 2019 about safe food handling on Reddit, Yahoo! Answers, Quora, and Stack Exchange.

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.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document