Observation of Food Handlers' Hand Hygiene Behavior During Production at a Sandwich-making Factory.

Effective hand hygiene is essential during food production to reduce the risk of microbiological contamination. Improper hand hygiene by food handlers can be a major contributing factor in the spread of foodborne illnesses. Self-reported behavior does not equate to actual behavior as it has the limitation of biases.

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.

Dietetics Student Perceptions of Food Safety Communication to Vulnerable Populations: An International Study.

Registered dietitians can play an important role in delivering food safety information to vulnerable population groups. Although dietetic students are reported to perceive food safety to be important for vulnerable population groups, little is known regarding their attitudes toward their role in the delivery of food safety information. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine and evaluate the perceptions of dietetic students regarding their role in food safety communication to vulnerable populations from three international institutions.

Inclusion of Food Safety Information in Home-delivered U.K. Meal-kit Recipes.

Home-delivered meal-kit recipe boxes provide consumers with fresh, measured ingredients requiring storage, preparation, and cooking by following a recipe card.Previous literature has suggested that including food safety information within recipes may positively impact behavior. Therefore, there is a need to better understand what food safety information is included on the meal-kit recipe cards.

Assessing Existing Food Safety Resources with United Kingdom-Based Chemotherapy Patients and Family Caregivers for Future Learning Purposes.

Abstract: Because the incidence of foodborne infection is more prevalent among cancer patients and the domestic kitchen is a contributor to foodborne infection, appropriate domestic food safety practices are needed to safeguard this at-risk population. Although patients are aware of the increased risk of infection, previous self-reported data indicate potential food safety malpractices among patients and family caregivers, thus suggesting the need for targeted food safety information. However, existing United Kingdom resources provide inconsistent and insufficient food safety information.

Awareness and Attitudes of Student Dietitians in Lebanon, UK and USA towards Food Safety.

Allied health professionals such as dietitians can play a critical role in providing food safety advice to vulnerable consumers. To maximize food-related health and wellbeing, food needs to be safe and nutritious; consequently, food safety is referred to in international curricula for the training of dietitians. The purpose of this study was to explore the awareness and attitudes of student dietitians from three international institutions towards food safety.

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).

Understanding the barriers to food safety scheme certification in the food and drink manufacturing industry in Wales, UK.

It is increasingly essential for food manufacturers to have food safety certification. Little is known about certification in the Welsh food industry. This study aimed to explore perceptions of Welsh manufacturers regarding the drivers, benefits and barriers to obtaining certification.

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).

A case study of food handler hand hygiene compliance in high-care and high-risk food manufacturing environments using covert-observation.

Observation of behaviour is superior to cognitive data, which does not equate to behaviour. Covert-observation is seldom used in food manufacturing to assess behaviour. In this case study, closed-circuit-television footage (15 h) in a business were reviewed to assess hand hygiene compliance using an electronic-checklist.

Identifying support mechanisms to overcome barriers to food safety scheme certification in the food and drink manufacturing industry in Wales, UK.

Obtaining food safety certification is essential for food manufacturers. Potential barriers to obtaining certification are complex, interrelated and broadly relate to, 'knowledge and skills', 'time, cost and resources', and 'communication and access to information'. This study aimed to explore requirements for support to enable food manufacturers in Wales to overcome identified barriers.

Domestic Kitchen Microbiological Contamination and Self-Reported Food Hygiene Practices of Older Adult Consumers.

Because of increased susceptibility, older adults have an increased risk of foodborne infection, and data suggest elevated incidence; therefore, food hygiene is essential to reduce the risk. Research suggests older adults' inadequate knowledge and negative attitudes toward food hygiene may increase implementation of unsafe food practices. Data on microbiological contamination of domestic kitchens of older adults are lacking.

Older Adult Consumers' Attitudes and Perceptions of Risk, Control, and Responsibility for Food Safety in the Domestic Kitchen.

Although vast amounts of consumer food safety knowledge and self-reported data exist, attitudinal data detailing perceptions of risk, control, and responsibility are lacking. Such data relating to vulnerable groups, including older adults, are particularly scarce. Perception determination is essential in consumer food safety research to facilitate a comprehensive understanding of the cognitive factors that may impact behavior.

Video observation of hand-hygiene compliance in a manufacturer of ready-to-eat pie and pastry products.

Food-handler hand-hygiene can be a contributory factor for food-borne illness. Cognitive data (knowledge/attitudes/self-reported practices), while informative, are not indicative of behaviour, and are subject to biases. Consequently, observation of behaviour is superior to survey data.

Food Safety Knowledge and Self-Reported Food-Handling Practices in Cancer Treatment.

Objectives: To explore awareness of foodborne infection risk during chemotherapy treatment, to assess knowledge of risk-reducing food safety practices in patients with cancer and their family caregivers, and to determine self-reported food-handling practices.

Sample & Setting: A convenience sample of 121 patients receiving chemotherapy and 51 family caregivers of patients receiving chemotherapy in the United Kingdom recruited in the community and using online advertising.

Methods & Variables: Participants completed a self-report questionnaire to determine food safety knowledge and self-reported food-handling practices.

Behavioral Observation and Microbiological Analysis of Older Adult Consumers' Cross-Contamination Practices in a Model Domestic Kitchen.

The incidence of foodborne illness is higher in older adults because of their increased susceptibility; therefore, food safety practices are important. However, inadequate knowledge and negative attitudes toward food safety have been reported, which may increase use of unsafe food handling practices. Data on the actual food safety behaviors of older adults are lacking.

Time-Temperature Profiling of United Kingdom Consumers' Domestic Refrigerators.

Increased consumer demand for convenience and ready-to-eat food, along with changes to consumer food purchase and storage practices, have resulted in an increased reliance on refrigeration to maximize food safety. Previous research suggests that many domestic refrigerators operate at temperatures exceeding recommendations; however, the results of several studies were determined by means of one temperature data point, which, given temperature fluctuation, may not be a true indicator of actual continual operating temperatures. Data detailing actual operating temperatures and the effects of consumer practices on temperatures are limited.

Older Adult Consumer Knowledge, Attitudes, and Self-Reported Storage Practices of Ready-to-Eat Food Products and Risks Associated with Listeriosis.

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.

Analysis of older adults' domestic kitchen storage practices in the United Kingdom: identification of risk factors associated with listeriosis.

Increased listeriosis incidence among older adults (≥ 60 years) has been reported internationally, with many cases reported to be sporadic and associated with ready-to-eat (RTE) food products with extended refrigerated shelf life. Given that the home kitchen is recognized as a significant location where foodborne illnesses are acquired, it is important that consumers implement safe food practices to minimize risks. This is crucial for vulnerable consumers, such as older adults.

Behavioral risk factors associated with listeriosis in the home: a review of consumer food safety studies.

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, almost exclusively among older adults (≥ 60 years of age). Food safety factors associated with increased risk of listeriosis include lack of adherence to "use by" dates and ineffective refrigerated storage of foods.

Regulatory forum commentary: is unexpected immunostimulation manageable in pharmaceutical development?

One of the biggest challenges in drug development is interpretation of findings suggestive of immunostimulation, particularly when the findings are unexpected based on the known mechanism of action of the drug. Findings suggestive of immunostimulation do not necessarily preclude development of the drug. By understanding mechanism, the patient population, and species differences and by careful clinical monitoring, many of the drugs that produce immunostimulation can be successfully developed.

Development of immunotoxicity testing strategies for immunomodulatory drugs.

The ICH S8 immunotoxicity testing guideline for human pharmaceuticals was published in 2006 and was intended to provide guidance for assessing the immunotoxicity potential of low-molecular-weight drugs that are not intended to alter the immune system. For drugs intended to modulate the immune system, immunotoxicity testing strategies are generally developed on a case-by-case approach since the targets, intended patient population, and mechanisms of action of the test compound will determine the type of testing needed. Some of the general principles of ICH S8, however, may be applied to immunotoxicity testing strategies for immunomodulatory drugs.

ASVCP quality assurance guidelines: control of general analytical factors in veterinary laboratories.

Owing to lack of governmental regulation of veterinary laboratory performance, veterinarians ideally should demonstrate a commitment to self-monitoring and regulation of laboratory performance from within the profession. In response to member concerns about quality management in veterinary laboratories, the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ASVCP) formed a Quality Assurance and Laboratory Standards (QAS) committee in 1996. This committee recently published updated and peer-reviewed Quality Assurance Guidelines on the ASVCP website.