@article{niewczasdobrowolska2026communication,
  title = {Communication Effectiveness Online Food Recall: A Study of 27 Food Recalls in Poland},
  author = {Magdalena NIEWCZAS-DOBROWOLSKA},
  year = 2026,
  url = {https://ibimapublishing.com/p-articles/47ISM/2026/4716926/},
  journal = {Communications of International Proceedings},
  volume = 2026 (7),
  abstract = {The study was motivated by the increasing need for effective communication in food safety, particularly during food recalls, where timely and clear messaging can directly impact consumer health. Headlines serve as the first point of contact with the public, yet their role in shaping understanding and prompting action has not been sufficiently explored. The author sought to examine how readability and emotional tone influence the effectiveness of such messages.
This research fills a gap in the literature, as previous studies have focused broadly on health communication or risk perception but have rarely analyzed food recall headlines as a distinct category. In particular, there is limited knowledge about how linguistic simplicity and emotional framing interact to influence consumer reactions in urgent situations requiring immediate behavioral responses.
The study analyzed 27 food recall headlines collected in 2025. Each headline was assessed for readability using a 1–7 scale, where lower scores indicated greater ease of understanding. Additionally, the presence of emotions—such as fear, sadness, anger, disgust, anticipation, and joy—was systematically identified. This approach enabled a combined evaluation of both structural clarity and emotional content.
The findings show that most headlines were highly readable, with average scores between 2.6 and 2.8, reflecting the use of simple language, direct address, and clear calls to action. Headlines including specific instructions and personalized elements were particularly effective. Emotionally, negative tones—especially fear and anger—were most prevalent and enhanced message impact, while positive or ambiguous emotions reduced clarity and effectiveness.},
  keywords = {food, food safety, food hazard, food recall},
  note = Article ID: 4716926
}