A focus group study of food safety practices in relation to listeriosis among the over-60s

In recent years, policy attention has moved from the safety of food at the point of sale to focus on the roles and responsibilities of the consumer in managing food risks. Although the redefinition of consumer roles and responsibilities has taken place across the board, responsibilities for risk management and avoidance are not equally distributed, as some consumers are significantly more ‘vulnerable’ than others to food-borne illnesses. Nevertheless, vulnerability to food poisoning does not immediately equate with being ‘at risk’. Orienting itself primarily to the example of listeriosis in the over-60s, this article draws on the early findings of current qualitative research into older people's attitudes to food and use of date labels to consider the relationship between vulnerability and food safety risk. It situates this study within a review of existing studies of food choice in later life to argue for its relevance to food safety policy. It suggests that this can best be developed by adopting an approach that draws on theories of social practice.