This study examined the effects of an educational intervention on improving home food safety practices (HFSP) in 136 older adults (mean age: 79 years; 74% female; 61% Caucasian). At the pre-test, adherence to 16 HFSP was variable and ranged from <or= 17% for checking temperatures of the refrigerator and cooked meats to >or= 76% for other practices. Following the intervention, participants were more likely to wash their hands with warm water and soap for 20 seconds before eating (76% vs. 90%, P <or= 0.01) and preparing food (76% vs. 92%, P <or= 0.01). In a series of regression analyses, younger age was the most consistent predictor of adherence to HFSP at the pre-test, and older age was the most consistent predictor of improvements in adherence after the intervention. This intervention improved several aspects of HFSP; however, additional interventions are needed to increase HFSP in older adults.