Food safety knowledge, perceptions, and behaviors among middle school students.

OBJECTIVE To assess the level of food safety knowledge, perceptions, and self-reported food-handling behaviors among middle school students. DESIGN Baseline questionnaire administered in class that assessed background characteristics, knowledge, behaviors, and perceptions related to food safety. PARTICIPANTS 178 seventh and eighth grade students from 4 schools in central Pennsylvania. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Food safety knowledge, perceptions, and self-reported food-handling behaviors. ANALYSIS Independent samples t test tested differences between genders and bivariate correlation analysis explored associations among knowledge, perceptions, and behavior (P <.05). RESULTS Food safety knowledge score was 7.2 +/- 1.6 of a maximum of 10 points. Perceived self-efficacy and severity of a foodborne illness were high, but perceived susceptibility was low. Girls scored higher on the self-efficacy and severity scale (P <.01). Self-efficacy correlated positively with knowledge and behavior (P <.0001) and severity with knowledge (P <.01). One fifth reported taking risks in food handling and one fifth reported having been sick because of something they ate. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS There is a disconnection between middle school students' food safety knowledge, perceptions, and behaviors. A need for relevant and motivating food safety education exists in this group.