Older adult consumer knowledge, attitudes and self-reported storage practices of ready-to-eat food products and risks associated with listeriosis
Evans, Ellen W.
International Association for Food Protection
MetadataShow full item record
Consumer implementation of recommended food safety practices, specifically relating to time and temperature control of ready-to-eat (RTE) food products associated with listeriosis are crucial. This is particularly the case for at-risk consumers such as older adults, given the increased listeriosis incidence reported internationally among adults aged ≥60 years. However, data detailing older adults' cognitive risk factors associated with listeriosis are lacking. Combining data about knowledge, self-reported practices, and attitudes can achieve a cumulative multilayered in-depth understanding of consumer food safety behavior and cognition. This study aims to ascertain older adults' cognition and behavior in relation to domestic food handling and storage practices that may increase the risks associated with L. monocytogenes. Older adults (≥60 years) (n = 100) participated in an interview and questionnaire to determine knowledge, self-reported practices, and attitudes toward recommended practices. Although the majority (79%) had positive attitudes toward refrigeration, 84% were unaware of recommended temperatures (5°C) and 65% self-reported "never" checking their refrigerator temperature. Although most (72%) knew that "use-by" dates indicate food safety and 62% reported "always" taking note, neutral attitudes were held, with 67% believing it was safe to eat food beyond use-by dates and 57% reporting doing so. Attitudes toward consuming foods within the recommended 2 days of opening were neutral, with 55% aware of recommendations and , 84% reporting that they consume RTE foods beyond recommendations. Although knowledgeable of some key practices, older adults self-reported potentially unsafe practices when storing RTE foods at home, which may increase risks associated with L. monocytogenes. This study has determined that older adults' food safety cognition may affect their behaviors; understanding consumer food safety cognition is essential for developing targeted food safety education.
Journal of Food Protection
Evans, E.W. and Redmond, E.C. (2016) 'Older adult consumer knowledge, attitudes, and self-reported storage practices of ready-to-eat food products and risks associated with listeriosis', Journal of Food Protection, 79(2), pp.263-272.
This article was published in Journal of Food Protection on 01 February 2016 (online), available at http://dx.doi.org/10.4315/0362-028X.JFP-15-312 The article is unavailable on this repository as archiving is not formally supported by this journal
Showing items related by title, author, subject and abstract.
Comparison of listeriosis risk factors among three ‘at-risk’ consumer groups: pregnant women, older adults and chemotherapy patients Evans, Ellen W.; Redmond, Elizabeth (International Association for Food Protection, 2016-08)Introduction: Due to weakened immune function, listeriosis is particularly associated with ‘at-risk’ consumers, predominantly affecting pregnant-women, older-adults (aged ≥ 60 years) and people receiving chemotherapy. ...
Behavioral risk factors associated with listeriosis in the home: a review of consumer food safety studies Evans, Ellen W.; Redmond, Elizabeth (International Association for Food Protection, 2014-03)Listeria monocytogenes causes human listeriosis, which is associated with the highest hospitalization and mortality rates of all foodborne illnesses. In recent years, the incidence of listeriosis has doubled in Europe, ...
A review of consumer food safety research to identify domestic risk factors associated with listeriosis Evans, Ellen W.; Redmond, Elizabeth (International Association for Food Protection,, 2016-05-12)Introduction: Listeriosis is associated with the highest hospitalization and mortality rates of foodborne illnesses; listeriosis incidence has doubled in recent years in Europe. Consumer recommendations to reduce listeriosis ...