Domestic food handling practices and food safety

Consumers have an active role in the contest of food safety. Management of food at home is the last step of the chain “from farm to fork”, but is not the least important. Outbreaks of food-borne illness occurring in private homes are less likely to be reported, but a significant proportion of food-borne outbreaks in countries with an advanced economic development can be attributed to the home environment. This study aimed to provide information on the consumer management of refrigerated food. Overall, 1240 people have been interviewed in order to have information about domestic management of food. This study highlighted some gaps in food safety knowledge and practices that occur in domestic setting and consumers are not familiar with their role in the food safety chain. Findings from this study clearly indicate the need for greater consumer education regarding proper domestic refrigerator management, because consumers aware of safety issues can be active partners within the food chain.