B20003: Evaluation of consumer food safety education initiatives in the UK and determination of effective strategies for food safety risk communication.
Monday 27 September 2004
This research project aims to evaluate the number and types of food safety education initiatives in the UK, and make recommendations for the development of a risk communication strategy to get food hygiene messages into the home.
Study Duration: April 2004 to May 2005
Contractor: Food Research and Consultancy Unit, University of Wales Institute, Cardiff
Background
The vast majority of foodborne disease cases in the UK are thought to be sporadic, with the domestic kitchen as a significant origin for many of these cases. Effective food safety education is required to improve consumers' food safety behaviour in the domestic environment. This project will identify, review and evaluate recent, current and planned local and national food safety education initiatives in the UK. Appraisal of all the food safety initiatives in terms of planning, message design, content, delivery and evaluation will be undertaken and any common themes identified.
Recommendations will be made using consumer orientated results from this study to aid in the development of a strategy of risk communication for home hygiene messages.
Research Approach
- Recent, current and proposed food safety education initiatives in the UK will be identified and reviewed in terms of content, format, intended audience, rationale and evaluation. Where possible, common themes will be identified.
- Face to face interviews with a representative sample of UK consumers to assess consumer perceptions of factors that may influence communication efficacy of food safety issues and experiences of food safety initiatives.
- Qualitative evaluation of food safety education initiatives and interventions identified.
- Provision of recommendations for a holistic strategy for communication of food safety messages in the home, suitable for the general population.