FOOD SAFETY AT HOME: AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT CONSUMER PRACTICES

Ensuring food safety is paramount for public health, socio-economic stability, and global trade. Despite growing concerns about food safety, Southwest Mississippi lacks comprehensive research on foodborne illnesses. This knowledge gap hinders the development of effective policies to prevent contamination. To predict consumer behavior, it is crucial to understand how consumers perceive risks and benefits related to food safety. Foodborne diseases, resulting from the consumption of contaminated food or water, pose a significant public health threat in the United States. This study aims to address this gap by investigating consumer perceptions of food safety issues in Southwest Mississippi. The findings will contribute to a more profound understanding of food safety concerns and help in the formulation and implementation of targeted policies. Enhancing food safety measures is imperative not only for safeguarding public health but also for sustaining socio-economic stability and facilitating international trade.