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Food safety and the behavioural sciences
Social Science & Medicine (1982)
|January 1, 1985
Summary
Behavioral science research is crucial for improving food safety practices. This study highlights the need for more research into how food becomes unsafe and how to enhance food safety through behavioral interventions.
Area of Science:
- Medical Behavioral Science
- Public Health Research
Background:
- International health programs have driven the growth of medical behavioral science.
- Behavioral science has extensively studied nutrition and diarrheal disease treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the need for and opportunities in behavioral science research focused on food safety.
- To address the gap in research concerning the causes of food contamination and methods to improve food safety.
Main Methods:
- The study reviews the impact of international health programs on behavioral science.
- It analyzes findings from a Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Safety meeting.
- It synthesizes existing research and identifies areas for future investigation.
Main Results:
- Significant behavioral research exists in nutrition and diarrheal diseases, but not in food safety.
- There is a clear need and opportunity for behavioral science research in food safety.
- The WHO Food Safety Programme is expected to stimulate this research area.
Conclusions:
- Behavioral science can significantly contribute to enhancing food safety.
- Future research should focus on understanding how food becomes unsafe and how to increase food safety.
- Health education is a key strategy for implementing food safety research findings.