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A consumer survey in New Zealand has found food poisoning was the second highest food-related concern after prices. In total, 56 percent were concerned, suggesting food poisoning is taken seriously, said the New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS), a Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) business unit. The online survey was conducted between November and December 2023 with 1,602 consumers.

NZFS wanted to learn how consumers from different backgrounds perceive food safety risks and how their perceptions of risk may affect food safety behavior and practices. Overall, 27 food safety practices were tested in the research. Consumer behavior results Sixty-seven percent of consumers who prepare chicken say they wash raw chicken either sometimes or always and 79 percent wrongly believe that they should wash raw chicken or do not know if they should.



The top reasons for washing chicken were for hygiene or to avoid food poisoning. Many respondents do not wash their hands after handling eggs and do not heat frozen berries before use. Respondents who were not undertaking some correct cooking and serving actions said they were short on time, did not realize they should, did not think it was necessary, or forgot.

Most do not often use a meat thermometer, even if they have one. Two-thirds felt they know enough about food safety to avoid food poisoning. Those who felt less confident were more likely to be aged between 15 and 29, Pacific people, and/or Asian.

Incidence of claimed food poisoning increa.

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