A crucial activity in SafeConsume has been to transform the
scientific knowledge about consumer practices, barriers for changing
behaviour and risk associated with common practices into measures to
reduce foodborne illness.
For this, design methodology adopted for
SafeConsume by Designit and Nofima, was used with success: By the end of
the project, SafeConsume has delivered on all areas - educational
materials and a food safety app have been launched, recommendation
guidelines for risk communication and policy models published and
prototypes have been tested and products will be commercialized in 2023.
In the project we learned from applying design thinking based methods that the multidisciplinary collaborative workshops generated optimism and a sense of belonging among the participants, that visualization tools contributed to simplify complex information, and empathic observation studies made it easier to think user centric (Perceived usefulness of design thinking activities for transforming research to impact - ScienceDirect.).
A key tool in this process specifically developed for SafeConsume was the Opportunity map,
which was used to suggest strategies to reduce foodborne illness within
four different areas
1) Tools and products
2) Communication strategies
3) Education material for teenagers
4) Policy models.
The map is available for everyone interested and can be downloaded below.
