Food Safety Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Adults in Malaysia During the COVID-19 Pandemic

This study aims to determine food safety knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among adults in Malaysia during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional web-based study was conducted and the sample comprised 475 respondents from various regions of Malaysia. Overall, Malaysian adults exhibited good knowledge, positive attitudes, and good practices regarding food safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Greater food safety knowledge was observed among males (β = 0.124, p = 0.003), individuals aged 30–49 years old (β = 0.125, p = 0.028), with PhD (β = 0.109, p = 0.016), white-collar workers (β = 0.265, p < 0.001), and unemployed/retired/housewife (β = 0.163, p = 0.003). Meanwhile, individuals aged > 50 years old (β = 0.120, p = 0.042) and those living in Eastern region of Malaysia (β = 0.110, p = 0.032) demonstrated greater food safety attitudes, whereas those aged 30–49 years old (β = 0.165, p = 0.007) and white-collar workers (β = 0.158, p = 0.028) exhibited greater food safety practices. The findings could be valuable for Malaysian policymakers and health authorities in planning more focused and effective interventions and food safety education programs during pandemics and health crises.