Changing the layout of farmers markets can affect cross-contamination
ISSN: 0007-070X
Article publication date: 6 April 2021
Issue publication date: 22 October 2021
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the layout has an effect on cross-contaminations levels at farmers markets.
Design/methodology/approach
We used social cognitive theory's triadic reciprocity model to investigate how influencing the environment could change the behaviors of farmers’ market consumers and reduce the risk of microbial cross-contamination using a Fluorescent Compound (FC). For this purpose, a 3 × 2 experimental between-subject factorial design was utilized in this study: three farmers market layouts (i.e. U-shaped [U-S], L-shaped [L-S] and square-shaped [S–S]) and two different set-ups per market (i.e. produce and non-produce vendors completely separated, and alternating produce and non-produce vendors). FC was utilized to simulate microbial contamination on the participants (n = 54) hands. The participants were allowed to walk through the layout for 3 min and touch items after which a total of 475 swab samples were processed and recorded for absorbance levels.
Findings
The results indicated that the cross-contamination level of the U-S market was significantly lower (p < 0.001) than those of the L-S and S–S markets. The best market layout and set-up based on the average levels of simulated cross-contamination were the U-S market, particularly with the A set-up, where produce and non-produce booths were scattered.
Originality/value
This study is the first to use the quantification of FC to identify the impact of a farmers’ market layout/design on cross-contamination levels. These results can be used to provide guidance to market managers on layout and design from a safety standpoint to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This research was supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) under Award Number 2013-68003-21288. The authors thank Dr. Juan Madera for his valuable input in reviewing the manuscript.
Citation
Acosta, K.M., Mohammad, Z.H., Yu, H., Kirkwood, K., Gibson, K., Neal, J.A. and Sirsat, S.A. (2021), "Changing the layout of farmers markets can affect cross-contamination", British Food Journal, Vol. 123 No. 11, pp. 3661-3671. https://doi.org/10.1108/BFJ-12-2020-1153
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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