Definition and Components of Food Safety Literacy: A Delphi Study

Abstract

This research aimed to define the meaning and the components of food safety literacy. The Delphi technique was employed, involving 15 national experts in food safety and consumers. The instruments consisted of open-ended questionnaires in round 1 and rating scale questionnaires in rounds 2 and 3. Data were analyzed using mean, median, interquartile range and percentage to find the consensus of experts. It was found that the components of food safety literacy consisted of 4 main components and 11 sub-components, divided into: Components 1, functional food safety literacy. has 4 sub-components: basic knowledge about food, basic knowledge about food contamination hazards, basic knowledge about food sanitation, and basic knowledge about food labels; Components 2, interactive food safety literacy has 2 sub-components: the ability to ask questions or seek advice about food safety information, and the ability to communicate, exchange, and persuade about food safety information; Components 3, behavioral food safety literacy. It had 2 sub-components: skills, practical abilities, and safe behaviors; and Components 4, critical food safety literacy with 3 sub-components: the ability to evaluate and use food safety information; the ability to make informed food consumption decisions; and the ability to manage budgets and set food goals. The results of this research could be utilized to develop standardized tools for measuring food safety literacy. Furthermore, these findings serve as a guideline for formulating national policies to promote safe food consumption behaviors in Thailand. Enhancing food safety literacy among the population will ultimately help prevent illnesses and diseases caused by the consumption of unsafe food.