Effect of storage location and expiration on freezing likelihood of ground beef

In this online experiment we test the effect of storage location (new from store / already at home) and use-by date (0 days / 5 days) on the likelihood that people freeze ground beef. It is a 2x2 between participant design and we test for a mediation effect of food safety risk perception and freshness perception. The mediating role of perceived severity, perceived vulnerability and response efficacy is tested. We expect people are less likely to freeze products closer to expiry and products that have already been stored in the fridge at home. Furthermore, we expect both these effects to be mediated by perceived food safety risk and freshness perceptions.