Browsing by Author "Truninger, Monica"
Now showing 1 - 9 of 9
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- Consumption orientations may support (or hinder)transitions to more plant-based dietsPublication . Graça, João; Truninger, Monica; Junqueira, Luís; Schmidt, LuisaThere have been increasing calls for triggering and sustaining a large-scale transition toward healthier and more sustainable food systems. To help materialize this transition, the present work aims to inform efforts for developing, marketing and promoting plant-based meals and plant-forward lifestyles, following a consumption-focused approach. The findings (N participants = 1600, Portugal; 52.6% female, M age = 48.30) allowed to identify trends and differences on three sets of variables – (a)current eating habits (i.e., meat, fish, and plant-based meals), (b)consumer willingness to change (i.e., reduce meat consumption, follow a plant-based diet, maintain the status quo), and (c)enablers for eating plant-based meals more often (i.e., capability, opportunity, motivation)–, considering consumer orientations toward consumption in general, and food consumption in particular. Taken together, the results suggested that some consumption orientations were aligned with the transition to more plant-based diets (e.g., food orientation toward naturalness), others were open to – but not yet materialized in – the transition (e.g., general orientation toward consumption as exploration), and still others were in tension with the transition (e.g., food orientation toward pleasure). The discussion calls for developing and testing pathways to reduce meat consumption and increase plant-based eating which capture and build upon a range of consumption orientations, rather than against them.
- Cross-contamination events of Campylobacter spp. in domestic kitchens associated with consumer handling practices of raw poultryPublication . Cardoso, Maria João; Ferreira, Vânia; Truninger, Monica; Maia, Rui; Teixeira, PaulaContaminated poultry is the major vehicle for consumer's exposure to Campylobacter. This study aimed to perceive potential cross-contamination events during preparation of raw poultry that can contribute to the spread of Campylobacter spp. in domestic kitchen environments and to understand consumers' meanings and justifications on preparation of a poultry dish at home. A total of 18 households were visited to observe consumers preparing a recipe that included poultry. Poultry samples and swabs from the kitchen surfaces and utensils, such as kitchen cloth, hand towel, sponge, cutting boards and the sink, were collected before and after food preparation and tested for the presence of Campylobacter spp. Genotypic characterization of 72 Campylobacter spp. isolates was carried out through Pulse-Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE). Fourteen chicken samples were contaminated with Campylobacter spp. (77.8%). Twelve consumers (66.6%) washed the chicken meat under running tap water and eight (44.4%) used cutting boards. Also, only five consumers washed their hands properly prior to or during meal preparation. Cross-contamination events were detected in four kitchens, between the raw chicken and two cutting boards, two sinks and one kitchen cloth. The poultry samples presented different levels of contamination (< 4.0 × 101 CFU/g to 2.2 × 103 CFU/g), being some poultry with lower Campylobacter loads the origin of three cross-contamination events during food preparation. Both C. jejuni and C. coli were recovered. Molecular typing by PFGE showed a high diversity among the isolates. There were different explanations for the practice of cleaning and rinsing chicken, but, in general, it is an habit linked to what they have learned from their families. These results highlight the potential for the dissemination of Campylobacter strains in the domestic environment through the preparation of chicken meat and the need to raise awareness among consumers for an appropriate handling of raw poultry in order to decrease the risk of campylobacteriosis.
- Data on European kitchen layouts belonging to vulnerable consumers (elderly people and young families with children or pregnant women) and risk-takers (young single men)Publication . Mihalache, Octavian Augustin; Møretrø, Trond; Borda, Daniela; Dumitraşcu, Loredana; Neagu, Corina; Nguyen-The, Christophe; Maître, Isabelle; Didier, Pierrine; Teixeira, Paula; Junqueira, Luis Orlando Lopes; Truninger, Monica; Izsó, Tekla; Kasza, Gyula; Skuland, Silje Elisabeth; Langsrud, Solveig; Nicolau, Anca IoanaThe data presented here capture the structure of kitchen layouts belonging to consumers vulnerable to foodborne diseases and food risk-takers. Data were collected in the frame of the SafeConsume project by multidisciplinary research teams that visited consumers during preparing a meal and had the possibility to examine their cooking routines. Distances between sink and stove, sink and refrigerator, stove and refrigerator, sink and working place (countertop or table), stove and working place were analyzed to correlate food safety practices applied during cooking with kitchen arrangements. The results arising from analyzing the ergonomics of kitchens versus potential cross-contamination events are presented in Mihalache et al., [1]. These data contribute to a better understanding of real kitchen layouts and can be used as a starting point for future research regarding food safety-oriented arrangements instead of ergonomics-focused designs, for food safety risk assessments, as study cases for explaining specific measures that can be established to improve food handling and hygiene practices in homes and for sociological research pointing consumers’ behavior during cooking.
- Enabling sustainable food transitions in schools: a systemic approachPublication . Graça, João; Roque, Lisa; Guedes, David; Campos, Lucia; Truninger, Monica; Godinho, Cristina; Vinnari, MarkusPurpose Recent reviews and reports have highlighted the need for integrated, context-specific efforts to enable sustainable food transitions. This study aimed to identify pathways to promote healthier and more environmentally friendly food practices in school contexts, with a focus on increased plant-based eating. Design/methodology/approach The study used a systemic approach with data collected from relevant stakeholders in an EU country (Portugal) at diverse levels of influence in the school meals system (i.e. proximal, intermediate, distal; from end-consumers to food providers, market actors, civil society organizations, and policy and decision-makers). Data from individual interviews (N = 33) were subjected to thematic analysis. Findings Meat-centric cultural perceptions of a 'proper meal' can be a socio-emotional barrier for sustainable food transitions in schools. Main pathways identified to unlock these transitions included: (1) Levering orientations toward ethical and environmentally beneficial consumption; (2) Improving and increasing the offer of plant-based meals; and (3) Mobilizing local communities and society. Originality/value The current findings suggest that promoting healthier and more environmentally friendly food practices in schools requires systemic, integrated approaches which focus on food consumption, food provision, and the broader political and sociocultural environment.
- Kitchen layouts and consumers’ food hygiene practices: ergonomics versus safetyPublication . Mihalache, Octavian Augustin; Møretrø, Trond; Borda, Daniela; Dumitraşcu, Loredana; Neagu, Corina; Nguyen-The, Christophe; Maître, Isabelle; Didier, Pierrine; Teixeira, Paula; Junqueira, Luis Orlando Lopes; Truninger, Monica; Izsó, Tekla; Kasza, Gyula; Skuland, Silje Elisabeth; Langsrud, Solveig; Nicolau, Anca IoanaOur paper emphasizes the importance of the kitchen layout in facilitating consumers' food hygiene practices. A significant correlation was found between the sink placement (inside or outside the kitchen) and hygienic practices during food handling based on a survey performed on consumers from ten European countries, indicating that those who had the sink in the kitchen were more likely to perform proper hygiene practices than those who have not. The self-reported practices were supported by observed practices in 64 households from five European countries. The observational study combined with the examination of kitchen layouts revealed that the kitchen work triangle with its apexes represented by the kitchen sink, cooking stove and refrigerator, which is recommended for ergonomic reasons by architects and designers, did not necessarily support food hygiene practices in kitchens. Cross-contamination events were associated with the sink – countertop distances longer than 1 m. Based on this, a new kitchen triangle with its apexes represented by the kitchen sink, working place (usually countertop) and cooking stove, with the distance between the sink and the working place less than 1 m is proposed to be used as norm in kitchen designs for combining ergonomics with safety. This triangle is proposedly named the food safety triangle and is aimed to mitigate the risks of foodborne illnesses by creating an arrangement that facilitates hygiene practices. This study is the first to highlight the importance of implementing the concept of food safety in the kitchen design based on significant correlations between kitchen equipment placement and consumers’ food safety practices.
- Plant-based school meals as levers of sustainable food transitions: a narrative review and conceptual frameworkPublication . Roque, Lisa; Graça, João; Truninger, Monica; Guedes, David; Campos, Lúcia; Vinnari, Markus; Godinho, CristinaCurrent food systems face immediate and complex challenges in feeding a growing global population. It is necessary to mitigate the environmental impact of food systems while ensuring food security across the globe. Drawing on the example of recent multi-sectoral approaches which focus on the interconnections between public health and the environment, this work offers a narrative review and broader conceptual framework advancing two propositions. The first is that school meals systems have the potential to help enable sustainable food transitions. The second is that favoring well-planned plant-based meals in schools may strengthen this potential. The review and resulting framework highlight the relevance of seeking transdisciplinary dialogue and considering diverse sectors of society, such as public health, the environment, social protection, economic development, and community welfare. We review possible health benefits as well as possible economic and environmental outcomes, especially if school meals are sourced mainly from local communities and eco-friendly agricultural practices. Cross-sectoral implications related to social protection and community welfare are also identified and discussed, as well as potential pathways for materializing sustainable food transitions in schools.
- Reducing meat consumption and following plant-based diets: current evidence and future directions to inform integrated transitionsPublication . Graça, João; Godinho, Cristina A.; Truninger, MonicaBackground: There is increasing consensus that transitioning towards reduced meat consumption and more plant-based diets is a key feature to address important health and sustainability challenges. However, relevant evidence that may inform these transitions remains fragmented with no overarching rationale or theoretical framework, which limits the ability to design and deliver coordinated efforts to address these challenges. Scope and approach: Eleven databases were systematically searched using sets of keywords referring meat curtailment, meat substitution and plant-based diets, as well as consumer choice, appraisal or behavior (2602 articles selected for title and abstract screening; 161 full-texts assessed for eligibility; 110 articles selected for extraction and coding). Barriers and enablers were identified and integrated into an overarching framework (i.e., COM-B system), which conceptualizes behavior as being influenced by three broad components: capability, opportunity and motivation. Key findings and conclusions: This review mapped potential barriers and enablers in terms of capability, opportunity, and motivation to reduce meat consumption and follow more plant-based diets. These included lack of information for consumers and difficulty to acquire new cooking skills (barrier, capability), changes in service provision in collective meal contexts (enabler, opportunity), and positive taste expectations for plant-based meals (enabler, motivation). Evidence on variables referring to the motivation domain is clearly increasing, but there is a striking need for studies that include capability and opportunity variables as well. The results of this review are relevant to a variety of fields and audiences interested in promoting sustainable living and health improvements through dietary choice.
- Time-temperature profiles and Listeria monocytogenes presence in refrigerators from households with vulnerable consumersPublication . Dumitrașcu, Loredana; Nicolau, Anca Ioana; Neagu, Corina; Didier, Pierrine; Maître, Isabelle; Skuland, Silje Elisabeth; Moretro, Trond; Langsrud, Solveig; Truninger, Monica; Teixeira, Paula; Ferreira, Vânia; Martens, Lydia; Borda, DanielaA transdisciplinary observational study, coupled with a web-based survey, was conducted to investigate refrigerated storage of food, in five European countries. The investigated consumer groups in this study were: young families with small children and/or pregnant women, elderly people, persons with an immunodeficient system, and young single men. The refrigerator temperature was monitored for approximately two weeks using a temperature data logger. Variables such as country, income, age of refrigerators, education, living area, refrigerator loading practices had no significant effect (p > 0.05) on the overall average fridge temperature, whereas consumers' practices showed a significant influence (p < 0.05) on registered temperature values. Compared to temperatures inside the fridges belonging to young families and young single men group, the temperatures inside refrigerators belonging to elderly was in the temperature danger zone (5–63 °C). The lowest temperatures were recorded in UK consumers’ refrigerators, whereas the highest were in French households. Presence of Listeria monocytogenes was confirmed in three refrigerators out of 53 sampled (two in Romania and one in Portugal). The most vulnerable category to food safety risks is represented by elderly persons with low education, unaware of safe refrigeration practices and the actual temperature their fridges are running.
- Young people’s views on food hygiene and food safety: a multicentre qualitative studyPublication . Syeda, Rowshonara; Lundgren, Pia Touboul; Kasza, Gyula; Truninger, Monica; Brown, Carla; Lacroix-Hugues, Virginie; Izsó, Tekla; Teixeira, Paula; Eley, Charlotte; Ferré, Noémie; Kunszabo, Atilla; Nunes, Cristina; Hayes, Catherine; Gennimata, Dimitra; Szakos, Dávid; McNulty, Cliodna Ann MiriamFoodborne diseases are a global burden, are preventable, and young people are a key population for behaviour change as they gain autonomy. This study aimed to explore young people’s needs across several European countries in relation to learning about and implementing food hygiene and food safety. Qualitative focus groups and interviews were conducted in rural and city regions across England, France, Hungary and Portugal. Data were collected to attain data saturation, transcribed, thematically analysed, and mapped to the Theoretical Domains Framework. Twenty-five out of 84 schools approached (29.8%) participated, with data collected from 156 11–18-year-old students. Students had good knowledge of personal hygiene but did not always follow hygiene rules due to forgetfulness, lack of facilities or lack of concern for consequences. Students had limited understanding of foodborne microbes, underestimated the risks and consequences of foodborne illness and perceived the “home” environment as the safest. Young people preferred interactive educational methods. Addressing gaps in young people’s food safety knowledge is essential to improve their lack of concern towards foodborne illness and motivate them to follow food hygiene and safety behaviours consistently. Findings have been used to develop educational resources to address gaps in knowledge, skills, attitudes and beliefs.