Knowledge retention study of past participants of the FOODSAFE educational program - mise à jour

In British Columbia, a legislated food handler training requirement was established in 2000. This requirement consists of passing a class-room based food safety training program called FOODSAFE. The length of time workers retain food safety knowledge after FOODSAFE training and certification is not known. We examined if there was a decline in the ability of food service workers to recall food safety knowledge after taking FOODSAFE. We also examined the effects of workplace establishment, workplace duties (supervisory and non supervisory), age, experience and other influences on worker food safety knowledge and attitudes for FOODSAFE trained and non-trained workers. 

FOODSAFE trained (n=499), and untrained (n=199) food workers participated in a survey in February 2009 to measure food safety knowledge, attitudes and practices at work and at home. Additionally, FOODSAFE trained participants who no longer work in the food services industry were also surveyed and asked about home knowledge, practices and attitudes (n=395). Each subject was contacted by phone, and asked to participate in a short telephone survey about their FOODSAFE training. A follow-up study is planned to retrain food service workers (n=50) with FOODSAFE to examine if there is an improvement in food safety knowledge retention. The purpose of these studies are to assess the knowledge of food service employees after certification, the effectiveness of retraining, and seek to make recommendations regarding FOODSAFE recertification. We are also examining if home food safety practices are improved with food safety training.

www.bccdc.ca/foodhealth/foodguidelines/FOODSAFE+Knowledge+Retention+Study.htm

Personne-ressource :
Lorraine McIntyre, Food Protection Services, BCCDC
Courriel : lorraine.mcintyre(at)bccdc.ca
Téléphone : 604-707-2458