To provide educators, the industry and ultimately consumers with more knowledge about proper handling behaviors (and accountability for food-safety problems), the team sought to learn more about how consumers handle fresh beef they buy in the store.

While online shopping has become a dominant venue for non-perishable purchases, it is making more and more inroads for perishable goods as well.

Consumer habits are shifting as economic uncertainty, technological advancements and evolving demographics all push shoppers in new directions.