Managing uncertainty about food risks - Consumer use of food labelling.
General consumer knowledge of and engagement with the production of food has declined resulting in increasing consumer uncertainty about, and sensitivity to, food risks. Emphasis is therefore placed on providing information for consumers to reduce information asymmetry regarding food risks, particularly through food labelling. This study examines the role of food labelling in influencing consumer perceptions of food risks. In-depth, 1-h interviews were conducted with 24 Australian consumers. Participants were recruited based on an a priori defined food safety risk scale, and to achieve a diversity of demographic characteristics. The methodological approach used, adaptive theory, was chosen to enable a constant interweaving of theoretical understandings and empirical data throughout the study. Participants discussed perceiving both traditional (food spoilage/microbial contamination) and modern (social issues, pesticide and 'chemical' contamination) risks as present in the food system. Food labelling was a symbol of the food system having managed traditional risks, and a tool for consumers to personally manage perceived modern risks. However, labelling also raised awareness of modern risks not previously considered. The consumer framing of risk presented demonstrates the need for more meaningful consumer engagement in policy decision making to ensure risk communication and management meet public expectations. This research innovatively identifies food labelling as both a symbol of, and a tool for, the management of perceived risks for consumers. Therefore it is imperative that food system actors ensure the authenticity and trustworthiness of all aspects of food labelling, not only those related to food safety.
['Tonkin|Emma|E|', 'Coveney|John|J|', 'Meyer|Samantha B|SB|', 'Wilson|Annabelle M|AM|', 'Webb|Trevor|T|']
D000293:Adolescent D000328:Adult D000368:Aged D001315:Australia D002755:Choice Behavior D003258:Consumer Behavior D003257:Consumer Product Safety D003710:Demography D036262:Empirical Research D005260:Female D005506:Food Contamination D005515:Food Labeling D005516:Food Microbiology D018857:Food Packaging D006801:Humans D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D018673:Nutrition Policy D018570:Risk Assessment D035501:Uncertainty D055815:Young Adult
Food Risk Consumer Food labeling Risk perception