A healthy diet is essential for good health and nutrition, though literature showed that there are various factors affecting the intention to purchase and consume healthy food. Technology integration is known to be useful in various aspects, but findings from studies on the efficacy of technology integration to improve healthy food consumption and purchase have largely been inconsistent. Therefore, we aimed to examine the efficacy of interventions that use technology apps to improve healthy food purchasing and consumption in adults. Relevant studies were identified through PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, SportDiscuss and ACM Digital Library. Twenty studies were included in the systematic review. The majority of studies (n = 18) used a smartphone in the intervention, and only two studies used a personal digital assistant. The results showed that technology integration-based intervention favoured healthy changes in household food purchases, and increased consumption of healthy food and healthy eating outcomes – albeit to different extents. Overall, technology apps are convenient and user-friendly tools to encourage a change in healthy food purchase and consumption among people.

Food safety is an important indicator of public health, as foodborne illnesses continue to cause productivity and economic loss. In recent years, web-based applications have been extensively used by the online users’ population. Almost one third (28.3%) of online users found web-based application to be a notable source of food safety information. The objective of the current review is to determine the effectiveness of a web-based application systems as a health promotion tool for consumers to increase their knowledge and awareness of food safety. A systematic literature review was conducted by analyzing 11 selected web-based food safety education-related articles. The studies were categorized into several themes: (1) web-based applications used in accessing food safety information; (2) food safety evaluation and perception among consumers; (3) beliefs and level of knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of consumers; and (4) impact and contribution of social media use. A diverse number of online applications have been utilized to promote food safety education among consumers, yet these web-based applications need to be improved with regards to social connection and integration among consumers. KAP surveys were conducted on the majority of the respondents with a particular focus on their knowledge level. Findings show that web-based applications may act as an alternative to the traditional media in enhancing food safety education among consumers, especially youths who are tech-savvy.

The proliferation of digital technologies offers innovative avenues for public health education. This study evaluates the usability of FOODAlyzer © , a web-based application designed to enhance food safety awareness among Generation Z university students in Peninsular Malaysia. Using a mixed-methods approach, researchers collected data from 419 Gen Z students via online questionnaires. The study comprehensively assessed the app’s effectiveness in improving knowledge, attitudes, and risk perception regarding food poisoning prevention. The results demonstrated significant positive outcomes. Majority of respondents (94.8%) acknowledged FOODAlyzer© utility in selecting quality food premises. The app demonstrated strong performance across key usability metrics, with participants reporting high levels of interactivity, accessibility, and ease of learning. Notably, 89.7% of respondents expressed intentions to utilize the app before ordering food, and 90.6% would recommend it to others. While the app demonstrated strong potential, user feedback revealed critical areas for improvement, which were categorized into two main themes: Technical enhancements and food safety education advancements. Key findings highlighted five technical improvement themes. Users called for greater accessibility and inclusivity, including multilingual support, a dedicated mobile app, and features accommodating diverse age groups. Suggestions for interface design focused on improving icon clarity, tooltip implementation, and visual readability. To boost engagement, users recommended an interactive experience with embedded multimedia, peer review systems, and instant feedback mechanisms. Enhancements in functionality, such as a more reliable system and streamlined login process, were also prioritized. Finally, users proposed interconnectedness with external services and government platforms to extend its reach and credibility. Regarding food safety education, three key themes emerge. Users suggested enhancing educational content with clearer criteria to educate both consumers and premise owners. Incorporating reward-based motivation through gamification, quizzes, and promotional incentives was recommended to encourage consistent use. Finally, users emphasized the need for clearer evaluation tools, advocating for simplified question formats, intuitive scales and reduced questionnaire length to minimize user fatigue and improve accuracy. This research provides a user-centered roadmap for developing effective digital public health tools. By addressing these identified limitations and incorporating stakeholder feedback, FOODAlyzer © can be optimized to better serve as a model for future digital interventions aimed at improving food safety practices among young adults and the broader community.