New Insights on Food Handler Training and Education
The Conference for Food Protection (CFP), in partnership with the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) and the Retail Food Safety Regulatory Association Collaborative, conducted three studies between 2023 and 2025 to examine how food handler training can lead to meaningful behavioral change in retail food settings.
These reports explore:
• The effectiveness of food handler training programs
• Adult learning principles and their role in training design
• Strategies to reinforce behavior change in the workplace
Access the studies and visual summaries below:
1. A Survey of Food Handler Training Effectiveness and Its Impact on Behavioral Change in the Workplace
This report summarizes a nationwide survey of food safety professionals and identifies how training effectiveness is measured, as well as how training influences behavior in the workplace.
Summary Report of Food Handler Training Survey
2. An Investigation of Adult Learning and How It Can be Used to Achieve Behavioral Change
This study explores adult learning styles, barriers to effective training, and the importance of tailoring training to diverse audiences to support long-term behavioral change.
An Investigation of Adult Learning and How It Can Be Used To Achieve Behavioral Change
3. A Focus Group’s Perspective of Food Handler Training and How it can be used to Facilitate Behavioral Change in the Workplace
This focus group report offers practical insights from food safety experts on effective training methods, including clear communication and ongoing reinforcement.
Food Handler Focus Group Summary Report
4. From Knowledge to Action: Advancing Food Handler Training Through Adult Learning and Behavior Change Strategies
This report explores how food handler training can be improved by applying adult learning principles and behavior change strategies. Drawing from a literature review, focus group, and national survey, it offers practical recommendations for designing effective, culturally relevant, and engaging training that drives long-term food safety behavior change.
Visual Summaries
Infographics
Last updated: June 2, 2025
