Chapter 21 - Food Safety Training and Teaching in the United Kingdom and Europe

<scp>IFST</scp> vision for a <scp>UK</scp>‐wide national food strategy

Food Science Education Publications and Websites

PurposeThe study examines the interrelationships of food safety knowledge, attitudes and practices, and the moderating effect of food safety training on the said interrelationships.Design/methodology/approachPredictive-causal was the primary research design used and partial least squares – structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was the statistical technique applied.FindingsResults showed that food safety knowledge significantly and positively influences attitudes towards food safety. It was further revealed that attitudes toward food safety and food safety practices are also significantly and positively related. Moderation analysis indicated that food safety training moderates the significant and positive relationship between attitudes towards food safety and food safety practices.Research limitations/implicationsThe present study has limitations. First, the unit of analysis is focused on food handlers in fast-food restaurants in Angeles City, Philippines. Other researchers may come up with similar studies on a larger scale – provincial, regional or national. Second, only food safety training as a construct was used as a moderator on the hypothesized relationships of the structural model. Other studies may expand and explore other moderating variables and/or mediating constructs that may affect the said hypothesized relationships.Practical implicationsBased on the present study, food safety knowledge was found to have a huge significant and direct influence on attitudes of fast-food restaurant food handlers towards food safety, as evidenced by the computed effect size. In short, knowledge on food safety is an integral factor when it comes to enhancing food safety attitudes of fast-food restaurant food handlers. When fast-food restaurant food handlers are well-equipped with the right food safety knowledge, they become more aware of the different food safety protocols and other pertinent food safety guidelines and procedures which can lead to favorable food safety attitudes.Social implicationsThe present study highlighted the moderating effect of food safety training on the relationship between attitudes toward food safety and food safety practices. Therefore, regular attendance of food handlers to food safety training is crucial in developing acceptable attitudes toward food safety, which in turn, favorably affect their food safety practices in fast-food restaurants.Originality/valueThe current study utilized PLS-SEM, a second-generation statistical technique, to measure the hypothesized relationships as compared to correlation tests performed by prior studies on the interrelationships of food safety knowledge, attitudes toward food safety and food safety practices. PLS-SEM is suitable for this type of research design – predictive-causal – since this study involves model development and prediction. Furthermore, it employed moderation analysis to measure the moderating effects of food safety training on the identified hypothesized relationships of the structural model. Hence, methodologically, the present study employed new ways and insights in measuring the interrelationships of food safety knowledge, attitudes and practices.

From the Chief Executive and <scp>IFST</scp> News

This study explored school foodservice directors’ (FSDs’) attitudes, influencers, knowledge about safe produce handling, and perceived challenges related to food safety training using Ajzen’s (1985) theory of planned behavior (TPB) as a theoretical underpinning. A web-based questionnaire was developed, pilot tested, and sent to all 864 public school districts in California. Demographic data, knowledge scores, attitudes, influencers, and challenges are reported using descriptive statistics and t-tests. Most respondent school FSDs (n=136, response rate of 16.4%) were female, between the ages of 35-64, with a least a bachelors’ degree, and more than 10 years of school foodservice experience. Most districts were self-operated, small, at least 50% free and reduced eligibility, and had conventional kitchens with speed-scratch preparation. School FSDs’ attitude towards offering food safety training had the highest level of agreement regarding maintaining department reputation. The health inspector was identified as having the greatest likelihood to think food safety training should be offered. The noted perceived challenge to providing food safety training was “employee scheduling availability.” Findings identified 84.4% (n= 108) of respondents had a Certified Food Safety Protection (CFPM) certification and12.6% (n= 16) attended USDA’s Produce Safety University (PSU) with no significant differences in knowledge scores based on either having attended USDA’s PSU or having CFPM certification. Regarding knowledge questions, 24.4% answered all six correctly (n= 125-127). School foodservice staff need adequate food safety training and safe produce handling practices as part of their food safety management plan. Produce safety training can be supported by state agencies and professional organizations.

Training in food safety culture

Introduction: In Indonesia, only about ?30% of street vendors in schools implement good food safety practices. This can have a negative impact on health that can lead to foodborne disease. Food safety practices are still low, especially for street vendors at public elementary schools in Tanjung Balai City, so food safety training is needed. Proper food safety training will be very influential in reducing the incidence and overall rate of foodborne illnesses. The purpose of this study is to analyze the relationship between food safety training and food safety practices in street vendors at public elementary schools in Tanjung Balai City. Methods: This study uses a cross-sectional design. The research is located at public elementary schools in Tanjung Balai City during November 2024. The sample involved 335 street vendors from 67 elementary schools. Data collection uses a questionnaire accompanied by interviews with respondents who have signed informed consent. This research has obtained permission from the Research Ethics and Community Service Commission, Faculty of Public Health, University of Indonesia. Results: The results of the study show that most street vendors at Public Elementary Schools have poor food safety practices as much as 61.2% and have never participated in food safety training as much as 80%. Factors that were significantly related to food safety practices were food safety training, gender, age, knowledge and attitudes related to food safety (p-value &lt;0.05), while education level, Vending Duration, and monthly income did not show significant results. The results of the multivariate test showed a significant relationship between food safety training and food safety practices after being controlled by gender, age, education and knowledge related to food safety (AOR=3.00; CI: 1.25-7.24; p=0.01). Conclusion: Food safety training is significantly related to food safety practices. Therefore, it is hoped that the relevant agencies can provide comprehensive food safety training to all street vendor in public elementary school’s environment”.

Food safety training and evaluation of handwashing intention among fresh produce farm workers

A study of food safety knowledge, practice and training among food handlers in Ireland

Editorial and News

continuous improvement [4] .Our food system is also facing a multitude of shared challenges that need to be managed simultaneously:• increasing dependence on a global supply chain to source raw materials and partially processed food products, • growing pace and volumes of food trade

Technology offers sustainable nutrition solutions

[Extract] The goal of the 'food security' agenda – to provide the world's population with a sustainable and secure supply of safe, nutritious, affordable and high-quality food (Research Councils United Kingdom, 2011) – comes with considerable challenges. To feed the expanding human population, numbered over 7 billion and growing (United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division, 2011), it is anticipated that by 2030, crop production must increase by 43% and meat production by 124% (Food and Agriculture Organisation, 2009). Growing demand is expected to result in escalating food prices as transport and storage costs increase, potentially reducing access to food among the world's poor. Given the past relationship between lack of access to affordable food and political instability (Brinkman & Hendrix, 2011), food security is given a high priority on global and national political agendas.

Meta-analysis of food safety training on hand hygiene knowledge and attitudes among food handlers.

Food safety and food security are subjects of great concern around the world. Ensuring a sustainable supply of nutrient-dense and safe food is a grand challenge. Nanotechnology will bring great opportunities to improve food safety and enhance agricultural productivity in a sustainable way. This study presents a critical concise overview of the basic principles and applications of diverse nanotechnologies in solving food safety and security issues. Following an overview of recent work relevant to food safety issues, several key applications of nanotechnology in food packaging and contaminant detection are outlined. The important role of nanotechnology in addressing agricultural production, water resource management (such as nanofiltration and nanosterilization), harmful substance adsorption, and nutrient delivery is discussed. Finally, opportunities for further research and development in nanotechnology for food safety and security are identified. It is noteworthy that large scale industrial applications of nanotechnology are not commonplace yet as major issues of cost and potential adverse effects on human health continue to remain impediments to be overcome.