Structural modelling of relationships between food safety knowledge, attitude, commitment and behavior of food handlers in restaurants in Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai, UAE

Food safety issues need careful attention from managers in foodservice establishments to minimize risks on consumers' health, tourism and the economy. The purposes of the current study were to appraise food safety knowledge, attitude, commitment and behavior levels of food handlers in restaurants in Jebel Ali, Dubai, United Arab Emirates and the influences of the food safety knowledge and attitude on employee commitment and, ultimately, on food safety behavior of food handlers. A paper-based survey questionnaire of food safety knowledge, attitude, commitment and behavior was completed by a total of 378 food handlers employed at 75 restaurants. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to evaluate the collected data for meaningful outcomes. The results showed that the food handlers have very good food safety knowledge (89.5%), excellent attitude (95.7%), commitment (91.9%), and behavior (93%).The relationships between food safety knowledge and attitude with food handler commitment and the relationship between food handler commitment and behaviors were positive and significant. Furthermore, a medium correlation between attitude towards food safety and resultant behavior of food handlers was confirmed. Food handler commitment acts as a partial mediator in the relationships between each of food safety knowledge, food safety attitude, and behavior. Management should focus on food handler commitment drivers, to translate the knowledge and attitude into actual behavior and practice.