Expert Harps on Need For Cultural Competence in Food Safety Education

Mary Nnah

Seasoned healthcare professional and food science expert, Adeola Idowu, has harped on the need for cultural competence in food safety education, highlighting its significance in ensuring inclusive and effective healthcare systems.

He disclosed this in a media statement recently, stating that cultural competence in food safety education is essential for bridging the gap between healthcare providers and diverse patient populations, ultimately leading to better health outcomes and reduced health disparities.

“As a food scientist, I’ve seen how cultural differences can impact food handling and preparation practices,” Idowu noted. “For instance, in some cultures, it’s common to handle food with bare hands, while in others, utensils are always used. Healthcare providers need to be aware of these cultural nuances to provide effective food safety education.”

Idowu emphasized that cultural competence in food safety education involves more than just language proficiency.

“It requires a deep understanding of the cultural values, beliefs, and practices that shape an individual’s relationship with food,” he explained. “This includes understanding the role of food in different cultures, as well as the cultural significance of specific foods and ingredients.”

The cultural significance of food is a critical factor in food safety education, Idowu stressed.

“In some cultures, certain foods are considered sacred or are associated with specific cultural history,” he said. “Healthcare providers must be sensitive to these cultural differences to provide effective food safety education.”

To address this issue, Idowu called for increased cultural competence training for healthcare providers, as well as the development of culturally sensitive food safety education materials.

“Culturally tailored educational materials can help ensure that food safety messages are effectively communicated to diverse patient populations,” he suggested.

Idowu also highlighted the importance of involving community members and cultural experts in the development of food safety education materials.

“Community-based approaches can help ensure that food safety education is culturally relevant and effective,” he noted.

Furthermore, Idowu underscored the need for more research on the impact of cultural competence on food safety education outcomes.

“Studies examining the effectiveness of culturally tailored food safety education interventions are essential to inform evidence-based practice,” he said.

Idowu pointed out that culturally sensitive food safety education can help reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses, which disproportionately affect diverse and vulnerable populations.

In addition, Idowu asserted that cultural competence in food safety education is essential for building trust between healthcare providers and diverse patient populations.

Idowu has worked with various organizations, including Lifecare4u Limited, Height Hills Agro-Allied Company, and Sunshine Honey Limited.

He has made significant contributions to the development of food safety education programs and has worked tirelessly to promote cultural competence in healthcare.