Introduction: Due to weakened immune function, listeriosis is particularly associated with ‘at-risk’ consumers, predominantly affecting pregnant-women, older-adults (aged ≥ 60 years) and people receiving chemotherapy. Sporadic incidence of listeriosis is frequently related to refrigerated ready-to-eat (RTE) food products stored/consumed in the domestic kitchen. Consequently, ‘at-risk’ consumers should implement safe food handling/storage practices, including time and temperature control of RTE-foods to reduce the risks associated with L. monocytogenes. Changes in UK epidemiology data indicate reduced pregnancy associated-cases and increased older-adult and chemotherapy associated-cases.
Purpose: Determination and comparison of these ‘at-risk’ consumers’ food-safety reported behaviours and related cognitions may identify listeriosis risk factors and inform the development of targeted food-safety information. Such data is currently lacking in the UK.
Methods: Quantitative survey methods (online/paper-based) ascertained food-safety knowledge, self-reported practices and attitudes towards domestic food handling/storage. The study involved pregnant/post-partum (≤12 months) women (n=40), older-adults (≥60 years) (n=100) and chemotherapy-patients/family-caregivers (n=172).
Results: Awareness of recommended refrigeration temperatures were significantly more widespread(p0.05), with the majority (58-65%) reporting temperatures would ‘never’ be checked. Older-adults were significantly less knowledgeable of ‘use-by’ dates, had more negative attitudes (p<0.001) towards ‘use-by’ dates and were more likely to report consumption of foods beyond the ‘use-by’ date (p<0.005). Although older-adults’ attitudes were significantly more negative towards consuming RTE foods within two days of opening, no significant differences in knowledge and self-reported practices were determined, with majority of all ‘at-risk’ consumers (82-89%) reporting consumption beyond recommendations. Failing to adhere to recommended food storage practices may increase the risks associated with listeriosis among these ‘at-risk’ consumers.
Significance: Significant differences in knowledge, attitudes and self-reported practices between ‘at-risk’ consumers may indicate why reduced pregnancy associated-cases and increased older-adult and chemotherapy associated-cases are reported in the UK. Study findings may be utilised for the development of targeted food-safety education to reduce risks of listeriosis
