Communicating chemical risk in food to adolescents. A comparison of web and print media

•The evaluation of a video and a comic strip proved an increase in knowledge on chemical risks.•Both tools led to a significant higher perception of chemical risks.•The comic strip met with higher approval from the adolescent.•Investigation on different media approval is needed for effective risk communication.

The study addressed the communication of chemical risks in food to adolescents with a view to evaluating the potential, the effectiveness and the limitations of web- and paper-based tools. The tools were developed through a participatory process based on the active involvement of the target group. The method used to convey the communication message was storytelling.A sample of 327 students living in north-eastern Italy evaluated the tools through two questionnaires. An assessment was made of the tools' effectiveness in transmitting knowledge, changing perceptions of chemical risks and arousing students' interest. Results showed that perception of chemical risks and scientific knowledge increased significantly among participants following exposure to both communication tools, but the paper-based tool was the preferred medium.The digital tool exhibited comparable effectiveness to the paper tool in terms of improving learning and changing risk perception, making it a valuable tool in the design of risk-prevention campaigns. However, the paper-based tool met higher approval, suggesting that further studies are needed in Italy to better understand young people's preferences in media usage and the correlations between approval, learning and changes in behaviours.