Purpose Determine the elements of young adult consumers' attitudes toward food safety using a food safety attitude (FSA) questionnaire and identify the factors influencing them. Design/methodology/approach This study adopts a descriptive and explanatory perspective to the research problem. Determination of students' attitudes was carried out by direct survey using a questionnaire. The ABC model of attitude was used to construct the statements in the questionnaire. The respondents' answers were analyzed using statistical methods. Findings The proposed questionnaire has proven to be a useful tool for assessing food safety attitudes and has identified important new elements in consumers' attitudes. Students' attitudes toward food safety are shaped by sociodemographic and psychosocial factors such as customer type, attitude toward risk, and how they make food purchasing decisions. Research limitations/implications Information about students' attitudes was obtained only from surveys. The survey results provide valuable insights for business practice. Practical implications Findings can be used to increase the effectiveness of efforts by various organizations aimed at changing consumer attitudes and behavior and to help understand why consumers implement some food safety behaviors and not others. Social implications The research results will help more effectively target efforts to change consumer attitudes, which could translate into a reduction in cases of illness caused by eating unsafe food or following proper practices when shopping and at the home preparation stage. Originality/value Development of a reliable tool for the study of attitudes. Identify the new elements of young adult consumers' attitudes and the factors that shape them.