Other Food Science Commons^™

Educational Needs Asessment And Practices Of Grocery Store Food Handlers Through Survey And Observational Data Collection, Lynn A. Robertson, Renee R. Boyer, Benjamin J. Chapman, Joseph D. Eifert, Nancy K. Franz

Nancy K. Franz

Grocery store associates in deli/bakery departments prepare and serve an increasing number of ready-to eat (RTE) foods and full meals. The shift to more convenience foods and take-home meals highlights the need for effective food safety training programs in retail grocery establishments to prevent foodborne illness. Through qualitative and quantitative methods, food safety knowledge, training preferences, needs, and current practices of grocery stores deli/bakery food handlers in Southwest and Southern Virginia were explored. Deli employees (n ¼ 78) completed a 34 question survey eliciting information on demographics, food safety training needs, preferences and knowledge. In an additional phase of this …