Abstract
Little is known about the food safety knowledge, behaviors, environments, and in-home food supplies of the growing population of homebound US seniors who are dependent on home-delivered meals. This cross-sectional study of 725 home-delivered meal recipients used in-home interviews, food inventories, and kitchen audits to examine potential food safety vulnerabilities. Seniors' food safety was compromised by poor home kitchen conditions, inadequate refrigerator/freezer temperatures, vision problems, and a lack of understanding of safe food storage times. The results identify conditions that may place seniors at greater risk for foodborne disease and suggest areas for interventions to reduce this risk.