| This thesis is an investigation of current food safety messages available to food handlers and consumers along the farm-to-fork continuum. Through the use of qualitative and quantitative research techniques food safety messages were evaluated in a five-part investigation. The investigation included: an evaluation of an agricultural food safety training video as part of an on-farm food safety program; an evaluation of current food safety training programs used by Hospitality Services at the University of Guelph; observation and evaluation of the current level of food safety knowledge and behaviors of grocery store employees; a review and evaluation of consumer food safety educational campaigns Fight Bac!(TM) and Thermy(TM); and an evaluation of television cooking shows as a source of food safety information. This research was able to conclude that the overall goal of any food safety program should be that the intended audiences understand, remember and effectively use all areas of the program. The key message for food safety communicators is that food safety is complex, and it requires constant vigilance and commitment. |
