Influence of knowledge and attitudes on food safety perceptions and behavioral intentions among food business operators in water bottling factories: a PLS-SEM model

The degree of safe drinking water scarcity worldwide is increasing due to climate change, droughts, population growth, and inadequate management, affecting 2.2 billion people worldwide and causing 829,000 deaths annually, necessitating effective systems and regulatory frameworks. Understanding the knowledge, attitudes, perceptions and behaviors of industry workers is crucial for upholding food safety systems. This study aimed to investigate the effects of FBOs’ knowledge and attitudes on their perceptions and intended behavior during the implementation of food safety programs in bottled water factories. The quantitative data were collected through laboratory testing, online surveys, interviews, and document reviews. Qualitative data were obtained through observation and employee interviews. Smart PLS modeling was used to illustrate relationships and assess model fit. The evaluation process involved assessing the impact of knowledge and attitudes on perceptions and their subsequent influence on intended behavior. The significance level was set at p ≤ 0.05. The assessment of the measurement model revealed no common method bias or multicollinearity problems, confirming the validity and reliability of the construct. The research identified a positive relationship between knowledge, attitudes, and risk perception, as well as between risk perception and intended behavior. Seventy percent of the workers had good health, but the swab test results indicated the presence of numerous microorganisms on their hands both before and after washing. A considerable number of participants exhibited good knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes, while a significant portion displayed moderate intended behavior. Understanding safety regulations, positive attitudes, and heightened risk perceptions impacts the workplace culture of food manufacturing workers. Ongoing training and reinforcement improve the manufacturing process and consumer confidence. More research is necessary to understand workers' lack of enthusiasm for safety programs.