Methods and measures in food service food safety research: A review of the published literature.

Purpose: Food handlers working in food service establishments need to perform appropriate and consistent food safety practices to ensure that the prepared food is safe for consumers to eat, as a failure to do so may lead to foodborne illness. It is important to have an in-depth understanding of food handler food safety behaviour in the food service sector to design targeted educational interventions and approaches to safeguard consumers. The purpose of this review is to provide insight to the existing body of research regarding food handler food safety in the food service sector, and to identify future research needs in terms of methods and measures. Methods: This study is a review of published food safety research studies (n = 118) focusing on food handlers in the food service sector conducted between 2001 and 2021. Data were collated regarding the methods used and the measures assessed in published studies to identify the gaps in current knowledge related to food safety in food service. Findings: The majority of studies were conducted in the United States (29%), Brazil (17%) and United Kingdom (7%). A large proportion were carried out in restaurants (70%). Less than a third of studies (28%) relied on a mixed method approach for data collection; and only 12% of studies assessed a combination of cognitive and behavioural measures. Observation was used in only 29% of studies. A lack of observational data detailing food safety practices such as handwashing, temperature control, separation and cleaning was determined. Significance: Such findings indicate a greater need for mixed method approach in future food safety research. It is recommended that the understanding of food handler food safety performance is best obtained through a combined assessment of cognitive and behavioural measures with subsequent triangulation of findings to reduce bias and to obtain reliable results.

Raw Meat-Based Pet Feeding and Food Safety: Netnography Study of Pet Owner Comments and Review of Manufacturers' Information Provision.

ABSTRACT: Feeding raw meat to domestic pets is a popular practice. Because of the potential food safety implications associated with handling raw meat, concerns about pet owner health have increased. For this study, a netnographic content analysis approach was used to analyze posts from Pet Forums Community online archives related to raw meat-based feeding and food safety (n = 308). United Kingdom manufacturer and supplier Web sites (n = 33) were reviewed for provision of food safety information related to raw meat-based pet feeding. The data were analyzed using a qualitative thematic approach and quantitative methods. Pet owner forum comments indicated potential malpractices and indifference toward possible food safety hazards when preparing raw meat-based pet food. Many were risk aware but indicated confusion regarding appropriate food safety practices. Although emotional concern about the safety of pets and children was expressed, contracting a foodborne disease was not perceived as a personal risk. In addition, the review identified that most (61%) manufacturer and supplier Web sites failed to provide food safety instructions or warnings to pet owners regarding raw meat-based pet food. Information was inconsistent and varied across sources. The most comprehensive sources of information were provided by manufacturers approved by the United Kingdom Pet Food Manufacturers' Association. This is the first netnography study to explore pet owner online reports and the provision of food safety information related to raw pet feeding. Findings suggest pet owners may not fully appreciate the potential risks associated with raw meat-based pet feeding. Consequently, there is a need for credible and consistent strategies to inform pet owners about potential implications associated with feeding raw meat to pets, as well as about safe food handling practices.

Exploring Food Safety Perceptions and Self-Reported Practices of Pet Owners Providing Raw Meat-Based Diets to Pets.

ABSTRACT: The growing popularity of raw meat-based diets for pets is accompanied by increasing concern regarding possible health implications of this practice for pet owners through the storage and preparation of raw meat. This study aimed to explore pet owners' knowledge and perceptions about the safety of raw meat-based feeding and to determine self-reported food safety practices during raw meat-based pet food preparation. An online questionnaire was distributed via social media platforms and completed by pet owners practicing raw meat-based feeding (n = 174). Almost all participants (95%) reported confidence that their pets' raw meat-based food is safe. Two-thirds of respondents (67%) reported that they had researched food safety information regarding raw meat-based feeding, yet only 8% asked a veterinarian for food safety advice. Respondents were aware of pathogens that may be present in raw meat-based diets and of food safety practices; however, they did not report consistent implementation of appropriate food safety practices. Malpractices, such as rinsing of raw meat (27%) and absence of segregation of utensils and kitchen surfaces (52%), were reported. The risk to pet owners of foodborne illness associated with raw meat-based feeding was perceived to be low by 89% of pet owners. Participants perceived low susceptibility to foodborne illness but high self-efficacy, which may be an indication of optimistic bias. This study has identified a need to increase pet owners' awareness of the possible risks to human health associated with raw meat-based feeding of animals. The provision of comprehensive food safety information, intended to target the perceptions of pet owners identified in this study, is needed to improve pet owners' food safety practices and thus to reduce the potential food safety risks associated with raw meat preparation and storage in the domestic environment.