AN EXAMINATION OF THE FOOD SAFETY INFORMATION SOURCES AND CHANNELS UTILIZED AND TRUSTED BY RESIDENTS OF LUBBOCK, TEXAS

The United States ’ food supply is among the safest in the world; yet, consumers are becoming increasingly concerned with the safety of the food supply as the number of food recalls and the related media coverage has increased. The purpose of this study was to determine the preferred food safety information sources and delivery channels of Lubbock, Texas residents. A random sample of Lubbock’s residents received a mailed survey instrument with 203 (52.9%) responding to the study. Results revealed that print information (including cookbooks), friends and family members and Internet websites were the most likely sources/channels that respondents would use to gain food safety information. None of the information sources studied were completely trusted by the respondents with significant differences found on the demographic variables of age, level of education, presence of children in the home, and ethnicity. Recommendations included a further examination of trust as a factor in food safety information and education