Assessing consumer food safety education needs across the state of Washington: Implications for nationwide extension programming. Issue 2 (13th December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Smith, Stephanie A.; Rachmat, Mirza; Beck, Rachael; Sielaff, Aleksandra Checinska
• Is Part Of: Journal of food safety. Volume 39:Issue 2(2019)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2018-12-13
• Subjects: Food adulteration and inspection -- Periodicals; Food contamination -- Periodicals; Food -- Analysis -- Periodicals; Food -- Microbiology -- Periodicals; Pathogenic bacteria -- Periodicals; Food handling -- Periodicals; Food preservatives -- Periodicals; 664
• DOI: 10.1111/jfs.12613
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0149-6085

Abstract

Abstract: Washington State University Extension conducted a statewide consumer food safety assessment, to evaluate consumer food safety practices within Washington state, with the intent of creating and delivering new and effective food safety programming. The results of this study showed a lack of consumer knowledge across a broad spectrum. Moreover, the results showed that Extension needs to play a greater role in educating consumers about food safety. Social media and websites are more likely to drive consumer education. Statewide data was sometimes inconsistent with nationwide data, and geographical and demographic differences may play a role in local food safety knowledge. Practical applications: Extension plays a major role in food safety education across the United States. Classical extension programming and access has a far lesser reach in todays internet‐based society. The information presented below can help direct new methods of education and outreach, by focusing efforts on behavior change and consumer access through web‐based resources.