Words matter when it comes to food freshness and safety messaging. The right word choices can help to keep food safe and fresh, while the wrong word choices can lead to spoilage and contamination. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when choosing words for your food safety messaging:
1. Use clear and concise language.
Avoid using technical jargon or technical terms that might not be understood by everyone. Instead, opt for clear and concise language that will be easy for everyone to understand.
2. Be specific.
When it comes to food safety, specificity is key. Be sure to include all relevant details in your messaging, such as the food item, the storage method, and the expiration date.
3. Use actionable words.
Encourage your audience to take action with your word choices. For example, instead of saying “please be careful not to let food spoil,” say “please be sure to refrigerate food within two hours of purchase.”
4. Avoid using absolutes.
When it comes to food safety, there are no absolutes. Avoid using words like “never” or “always,” as these can be misleading and may not reflect the reality of the situation.
5. Be mindful of your tone.
Your tone of voice can be just as important as the words you choose. Avoid sounding judgmental, condescending, or hysterical in your food safety messaging. Instead, opt for a calm and factual tone.
Words matter when it comes to food freshness and safety messaging. The right word choices can help to keep food safe and fresh, while the wrong word choices can lead to spoilage and contamination. By following these tips, you can choose the right words for your food safety messaging and help to keep your audience safe and informed.
Food producers, retailers and public health officials have long used terms like “fresh” and “safe” to communicate with consumers about the products they sell. But a new study suggests that these terms may not mean what consumers think they do.
The study, published in the Journal of Food Science, found that words like “fresh” and “safe” are often used interchangeably, even though they have very different meanings.
“Freshness is a sensory quality that is determined by factors such as the age of the food, the handling and storage conditions, and the processing method,” said study author Kerry McKay, a food scientist at the University of Alberta. “Safety, on the other hand, is a microbiological quality that is determined by the presence or absence of foodborne pathogens.”
McKay and her co-authors conducted a survey of more than 1,000 consumers in Canada and the United States. They found that more than two-thirds of respondents believed that “fresh” food was safe to eat, even if it was past its expiration date.
“These findings suggest that consumers do not understand the difference between freshness and safety,” McKay said. “This is concerning because it means that producers and retailers can use the term ‘fresh’ to mislead consumers into thinking that their products are safer than they actually are.”
The study’s authors say that producers and retailers should be more transparent about the meaning of terms like “fresh” and “safe.” They also say that public health officials need to do a better job of educating consumers about the importance of food safety.
