Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify if and how prevention and control strategies for NoV were addressed in education materials targeting adult consumers.
Methods: All food safety education materials targeting adult consumers listed in the USDA Education and Training Materials Database as of Summer 2013 were included in our sample (N = 155). Each artifact was coded by two trained staff members using a coding sheet created specifically for this project. Inter-rater reliability was calculated as percent agreement between coders (94.5%). Frequencies were tabulated using SAS version 9.3.
Results: Most (80.6%) artifacts did not mention the word “virus” or a word containing “virus” and NoV were only mentioned in 3.53% of the artifacts. Most did mention handwashing (66.7%) but most did not mention the length of handwashing (63.1%) or minimizing contact with persons when they are sick (96.8%). The majority of artifacts did not address sanitizing of food-contact surfaces (73.9%), and most did not suggest a method for cleaning up vomit or fecal matter (90.1%).
Significance: If the number of cases of foodborne disease is to decrease, existing education materials must be revised to include prevention and control strategies for NoV, the number one cause of foodborne disease in the U.S.