Using the theory of planned behavior to predict food safety behavioral intention: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Approximately 61% of foodborne outbreaks in the United States are traced to food handler behavior. The literature suggests that food safety knowledge does not always translate into improved behaviors. Thus, multiple researchers have recommended an examination of the gap between knowledge and behavioral intentions. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the ability of the Theory of Planned Behavior to predict food safety intentions. A total of 1550 studies were screened against the inclusion criteria, leaving 46 study records. The overall random effect size (r) was 0.282 (p < 0.001), indicated that the Theory of Planned Behavior constructs significantly predicted food safety behavioral intention. Subjective norms were identified as the most influential variable. The between-study heterogeneity ratio was low and non-significant, suggesting that individual food safety intentions were very similar in various service environments. Studies with a large sample tended to have significantly stronger individual norms to intention relationships. Stronger individual norms created a correspondent group culture that encouraged others to react or conform to the norm. With low true effect variances, a considerable amount of the variance is still subject to future research.