Introduction

In our mission to enhance food safety and raise awareness about the risks of food poisoning, we have embarked on several educational initiatives. These endeavors include offline lectures in Shanghai, the utilization of WeChat Official Account, content publication on Xiaohongshu, the creation of short videos on platforms like Bilibili and Douyin (TikTok), and a picture book for kids. Each initiative has been meticulously designed to educate different demographics and foster a deeper understanding of food safety, bacteria, and our project’s significance.

Offline Lecture in Shanghai

It is noteworthy that food poisoning often affects vulnerable populations such as the elderly and young children. Thus, providing children with a simplified understanding of food poisoning and practical strategies for prevention is crucial. Recognizing the profound implications of bacteria in our lives, our educational initiative aims to teach children aged 7-12 about food poisoning, its avoidance, the different types of bacteria, and fundamental concepts related to bacterial detection. The primary goal is to equip children with essential knowledge about food safety.

Figure 1a-c offline education

We conducted the lecture with 13 children in the Tianlin Community of Xuhui District, Shanghai. To arouse their interest, we had created engaging posters that effectively convey information about food poisoning. These posters served as visual aids to enhance awareness among children. We had also designed an interactive PowerPoint presentation to complement our educational efforts.

To make learning tangible and memorable, we engaged children in practical activities. One such activity involved molding clay to create models representing different bacteria. This hands-on experience allowed children to gain a basic understanding of bacterial concepts.

Figure 2 offline education

By providing children with a simplified knowledge base about food poisoning and practical strategies for prevention, we aim to empower them to make safer food choices. We believe that by imparting knowledge about food poisoning, bacteria, and basic detection principles, we contribute to creating a safer future for children. This endeavor aligns seamlessly with our broader project goals of enhancing food safety and promoting informed choices in all age groups.

Promoting Food Safety Awareness Through Wechat Official Account

Food safety is an increasingly critical issue in contemporary society. Understanding the significance of food safety and its impact on public health is essential. In response to this imperative, we have further chosen to employ a popular method in China, using WeChat Official Account, to educate the public about pertinent knowledge. This approach aligns with our project’s mission: to emphasize the importance of food safety and how food poisoning affects public health. We believe that only when people are adequately informed about food safety can they recognize the importance and potential of our products

Our educational initiative through public accounts serves a dual purpose:

· Project Introduction: We aim to introduce our research projects and their expected goals, providing insights into our team and its members. This initial step is crucial for establishing our credibility and building a foundation for trust among our audience.

· Knowledge Dissemination: We strived to educate the public through regular postings every two days. The majority of our content focuses on disseminating scientific knowledge, such as the basics of food poisoning and the significance of bacteria detection. In total, we have published five articles, each approximately 2,000 words in length, reaching an audience of 20 to 80 readers per article.

Our official account education initiative has yielded significant results. By disseminating information through these articles, we have incrementally shaped public perception of our products. We've provided insights into the bacteria we test, the reasons behind testing these specific bacteria, and the broader societal importance of our products. As a result, our efforts have garnered the trust and appreciation of our audience, cultivating a market that recognizes the value of our products.

Figure 3 our WeChat Official Account.
Xiaohongshu: Ploger in Text and Picture

Our educational initiative is rooted in the need to raise awareness about food poisoning, promote biological knowledge, and contribute to the prevention of foodborne illnesses. Therefore, we recognize that disseminating information through popular online platforms can effectively reach a broad audience and drive change. We have published four posts on the Xiaohongshu platform, which provide insights into biology, experimental diaries, and other related notes. Our goal is to share the laboratory students’ diligent work and document the experiment process. This not only showcases the dedication of our team but also offers transparency into our research efforts.

Besides, we aspire to utilize Xiaohongshu as a medium to educate the public about food poisoning and impart biological knowledge. Through our content, we aim to raise awareness about the risks associated with foodborne illnesses and foster a better understanding of biology. Our ultimate goal is to contribute to food poisoning prevention efforts by disseminating scientific knowledge.

By sharing our experiment processes and providing information on food poisoning and biology, we have expanded public knowledge and awareness. The platform has also enabled us to engage with the audience through comments and feedback. This feedback loop has provided valuable insights into the public's current awareness of food poisoning and their needs, which, in turn, informs the improvement of our products to better meet user expectations. On this platform, we have received 95 likes and bookmarks.

Figure 4 our Xiaohongshu
Bilibili & Douyin: Utilizing Short Videos for Food Safety Awareness

In digital age, short videos have emerged as a powerful tool for conveying information, leaving a visual impact, and making a lasting impression on viewers. This medium allows for the flexible presentation of brand images and product effects, making it a successful marketing strategy. Recognizing the potential of short videos, we have incorporated them into our educational efforts.

We intended to create a series of engaging short videos. These videos featured the cats as the main characters, narrating their own experiences with food poisoning. The use of relatable characters and storytelling enhances the audience's understanding of food poisoning and the importance of prevention.

Our short video campaign has been instrumental in achieving our goals. The total video gained 325 views on Douyin and 610 views on Bilibili. By leveraging the visual impact of short videos and relatable storytelling, we have successfully spread awareness about food poisoning and our project. The integration of geographically targeted promotion videos further enhances our reach and engagement with potential users.

Figure 5 our TikTok
Figure 6 our Bilibili
Picture book

To promote food health awareness among children, we have created a picture book. It tells the story of a child who falls ill due to Vibrio parahaemolyticus, a common foodborne bacteria. The book vividly illustrates the consequences of poor food hygiene and handling. We deliver a clear message: the importance of food safety. We emphasize the need for kids to be cautious about what they eat, proper handwashing, and hygiene. We hope this picture book is a valuable educational tool, empowering children to make informed choices and prioritize food safety for healthier lives.

Figure 7 parts of our picture book
Conclusion

To sum up our education activities span various platforms and demographics, all with the common goal of enhancing food safety awareness. By educating children, disseminating knowledge through digital platforms, and using visual storytelling in short videos, we have contributed to the prevention of foodborne illnesses and promoted informed choices in all age groups. Our commitment to education aligns seamlessly with our broader project objectives and underscores the importance of public awareness in the realm of food safety.