Inside the black box of food safety: a qualitative study of 'non-compliance' among food businesses.
Issue addressed This paper examines the meaning of food safety among food businesses deemed non-compliant and considers the need for an insider perspective to inform a more nuanced health promotion practice. Methods In-depth interviews were conducted with 29 food business operators who had recently been deemed 'non-compliant' through Council inspection. Results Paradoxically, these 'non-compliers' revealed a strong belief in the importance of food safety as well as a desire to comply with the regulations as communicated to them by Environmental Health Officers. Conclusions The evidence base of food safety is largely informed by the science of food hazards, yet there is a very important need to consider the practical daily application of food safety practices. This requires a more socially nuanced appreciation of food businesses beyond the simple dichotomy of compliant/ non-compliant. So what? Armed with a deeper understanding of the social context surrounding food safety practice, it is anticipated that a more balanced, collaborative mode of food safety health promotion could develop, which could add to the current model of regulation.
School of Public Health and Social Work, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, Qld 4059, Australia.
Mark
M
Brough
School of Public Health and Social Work, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, Qld 4059, Australia.
Belinda
B
Davies
School of Public Health and Social Work, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, Qld 4059, Australia.
Eleesa
E
Johnstone
D001315:Australia; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D005511:Food Handling / Q000592:standards*; D005516:Food Microbiology / Q000592:standards; D059022:Food Safety; D005525:Food-Processing Industry / Q000592:standards; D005517:Foodborne Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D036301:Qualitative Research