Improving household food safety through combining nudge strategies with knowledge-based intervention: The effectiveness and mechanism

• Published in: Food control 2025-02, Vol.168, p.110923, Article 110923
• Main Authors: Zheng, Manli, Bai, Li, Liu, Chaoyue, Gong, Shunlong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cross-contamination practices; Declarative knowledge; Mindfulness; Nudge
• ISSN: 0956-7135
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2024.110923

The role of household settings is vital in the global challenge of foodborne diseases, serving as key areas for outbreaks. Despite significant efforts by governmental and research institutions to promote safe food handling, traditional knowledge-based interventions often are short in boosting motivation. Our study addressed this issue by integrating motivational nudge strategies with declarative and procedural knowledge-based interventions, targeting 914 primary household food handlers. Through randomized controlled trials, the impact of these interventions was rigorously evaluated. We found that a combination of mindful nudging and declarative knowledge-based intervention significantly improved compliance with food safety guidelines. Additionally, our analysis highlighted the critical mediating role of attitudes in this process. This research may present practical multidisciplinary intervention strategies for promoting safe food-handling behaviors. •New intervention strategies for preventing cross-contamination are assessed.•Combining nudges with knowledge-based interventions improves food safety compliance.•A combination of mindfulness strategy with declarative knowledge yields best outcome.•Attitudes play the crucial role of a mediator in the process.•The study provides new insights on designing practical intervention strategies.