Modifying the behavior of food employees using training materials and methods designed for oral culture learners

Many factors affect food employees' ability and motivation to prepare food safely including, but not limited to, receiving proper training (Green and Selman, 2005). Research suggests that food employees are predominantly oral culture learners and that training materials and methods commonly used today are contrary to oral culture learner characteristics (Beegle, 2004). The purpose of this project is to improve the effectiveness of training related to the control of foodborne illness risk factors by developing educational materials and methods more appropriate for oral culture learners. Funded through grants and contracts from the FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) and Office of Regulatory Affairs/ORA U, a project team consisting of FDA National Retail Food Team members and Public Affairs Specialists, behavior and communication experts, and over 60 representatives from the state and local regulatory community, industry, academia, and trade and professional organizations, have developed/collected and field tested educational materials (posters, storyboards, videos, audio testimonials, demonstrations, and exercises) designed specifically for oral culture learners. Preliminary results suggest that using stories, sayings, and pictures with vivid examples that allow food workers to “feel” the impact of a behavior, as well as using interactive demonstrations and two-way communication provided in a focus group format, may assist with motivating employees to change their food safety practices by helping them to understand “why” proper behaviors and practices are important in preventing foodborne illness. This project provides a unique foundation for improving the effectiveness of food employee behavior modification efforts in the U.S.