Food Safety Alerts, Recall Literacy, and Evidence-Based Risk Communication: Public Health Policy Challenges Within an Analytical Framework From Saudi Arabia

Objectives: Foodborne disease remains a persistent global public health challenge; however, consumer compliance with food product recalls is often falls below 25%. This study aimed to introduce and apply a novel analytical framework based on the Recall Awareness Score (RAS) and Recall Response Score (RRS) and to evaluate food recall literacy and risk communication among the public in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), a nation reliant on food imports and undergoing public health reforms. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional used online survey and face to face study data collection conducted among 958 adult residents of KSA using a structured, validated questionnaire to collect sociodemographic data and measure the composite indices RAS (knowledge of and awareness of official alerts) and RRS (behavioral compliance with recall actions). Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multivariable logistic regression to identify independent predictors of acting on a recall. Results: Overall, recall literacy was moderate: 49.5% of participants were aware of food recalls, but only 24.2% reported ever acting on one. The mean RAS was 2.68 ± 1.44 (out of 5), indicating moderate awareness, whereas behavioral response remained weak. Logistic regression showed that both awareness of food recalls (Exp(B) ≈ 2.3) and knowledge of reporting procedures (Exp(B) ≈ 2.3) independently doubled the odds of acting on a recall (p < 0.001), Although residential type showed an association with RAS in the univariate analysis, it was not included as a predictor in the regression model and therefore should not be interpreted as an independent predictor of recall action. Conclusions: The study reveals a critical link between awareness and actions in food safety recall compliance. These findings underline the need for simplified, actionable, and credible risk communication, as well as strengthened procedural knowledge, to enhance food safety resilience in the KSA.