Illnesses due to both emerging and familiar foodborne pathogens continue to afflict modern society. Consumers play an important role in preventing foodborne illness by recognizing and avoiding high-risk or adverse food choices and following safe handling practices. Although surveys can assess consumer awareness of food safety risks, knowledge does not necessarily translate into relevant behavior changes, and self-reported behavior may not reflect actual consumer practices. Educators, extension agents, and others who effectively relay food safety information to consumers also need to know how to formulate and deliver messages that achieve desired changes in food selection and handling. This symposium will tap the expertise of communicators, educators, and researchers in behavioral, social, and public/community health sciences, applied psychology and food marketing to: 1) give guidance on how to target audiences and craft effective education strategies, 2) describe responses consumers have to food safety messages, 3) determine behavioral changes after increasing awareness and understanding of high risk or adverse food choices, and 4) explain how to measure outcomes in terms of behavior/attitude changes.

Presentations