Assessing consumer food safety education needs across the state of Washington: Implications for nationwide extension programming

Abstract

AbstractWashington 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 applicationsExtension 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.