Exploring the influence of food safety climate indicators on handwashing practices of restaurant food handlers

Recent models have conceptualized food safety climate as a subcomponent of food safety culture that consists of the shared values and perceptions of employees. The present study sought to understand how food safety climate indicators including commitment, role overload, and contingent rewards affect handwashing frequency of restaurant food handlers (n = 124). Managerial commitment was the only variable significantly correlated with handwashing frequency r(120) = .313, p < .001. A multiple regression model showed managerial commitment was a significant predictor of handwashing frequency, F(1,117) = 12.70, p < .001, R-2 = .098. Role overload moderated the relationship between goal level and handwashing frequency, but only when role overload was low, b = .530, (115) t = 2.02, p = .046, suggesting the presence of competing subcultures. Managers should prioritize a food safety culture and structure jobs in such a way that promotes food safety behavior execution.