scholarly journals Consumer Trust in Food and the Food System: A Critical Review

Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 2490
Author(s):  
Wen Wu ◽  
Airong Zhang ◽  
Rieks Dekker van Klinken ◽  
Peggy Schrobback ◽  
Jane Marie Muller
Keyword(s):  
Food Safety ◽  
Food Packaging ◽  
Food System ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Consumer Trust ◽  
Future Research ◽  
System A ◽  
Credence Attributes ◽  
Labelling Information ◽  
Food Safety And Quality

Increased focus towards food safety and quality is reshaping food purchasing decisions around the world. Although some food attributes are visible, many of the attributes that consumers seek and are willing to pay a price premium for are not. Consequently, consumers rely on trusted cues and information to help them verify the food quality and credence attributes they seek. In this study, we synthesise the findings from previous research to generate a framework illustrating the key trust influencing factors that are beyond visual and brand-related cues. Our framework identifies that consumer trust in food and the food system is established through the assurances related to individual food products and the actors of the food system. Specifically, product assurance builds consumer trust through food packaging labels communicating food attribute claims, certifications, country or region of origin, and food traceability information. In addition, producers, processors, and retailers provide consumers with food safety and quality assurances, while government agencies, third-party institutions, advocacy groups, and the mass media may modify how labelling information and food operators are perceived by consumers. We hope our framework will guide future research efforts to test these trust factors in various consumer and market settings.

scholarly journals The health implications of distrust in the food system: findings from the dimensions of trust in food systems scale (DOTIFS scale)

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Tonkin ◽  
Trevor Webb ◽  
Julie Henderson ◽  
Paul R. Ward ◽  
John Coveney ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Food Safety ◽  
Content Validity ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Food System ◽  
Dietary Guidelines ◽  
Consumer Trust ◽  
Safety Practices ◽  
Health Related ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Consumer trust in food systems is essential for consumers, food industry, policy makers and regulators. Yet no comprehensive tool for measuring consumer trust in food systems exists. Similarly, the impact that trust in the food system has on health-related food behaviours is yet to be empirically examined. The aim of this research was to develop a comprehensive instrument to measure trust in the food system (the Dimensions of Trust in Food Systems Scale (DOTIFS scale) and use it to explore whether trust in the food system impacts consumers’ health-related behaviours. Methods The DOTIFS scale was developed using sociological theories of trust and pre-existing instruments measuring aspects of trust. It was pilot tested and content validity was assessed with 85 participants. A mixed-methods exploration of the health-related behaviours of 18 conveniently sampled Australian consumers with differing trust scores determined by the DOTIFS scale was then conducted. During March–July 2019 shopping- and home-observations were used to assess participants’ food safety practices and exposure to public health fortification programs, while the CSIRO Healthy Diet Score determined their adherence to national dietary guidelines. Results The DOTIFS scale was found to have high comprehension, ease of use and content validity. Statistical analysis showed scale scores significantly trended as predicted by participants’ stated level of trust. Differences were found in the way individuals with more or less trust in the food system comply with national dietary guidelines, are exposed to public health fortification programs, and adhere to recommended food safety practices. Conclusions The DOTIFS scale is a comprehensive, sociologically- and empirically- informed assessment of consumer trust in food systems that can be self-administered online to large populations and used to measure changes in consumer trust over time. The differences in health-related behaviours between individuals with varying levels of trust warrant further investigation.

Expectations and everyday opportunities for building trust in the food system

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Tonkin ◽  
Julie Henderson ◽  
Samantha B. Meyer ◽  
John Coveney ◽  
Paul R. Ward ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Safety ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Food System ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Consumer Trust ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Safety Incident ◽  
The Media ◽  
Business As Usual

PurposeConsumers’ trust in food systems is essential to their functioning and to consumers’ well-being. However, the literature exploring how food safety incidents impact consumer trust is theoretically underdeveloped. This study explores the relationship between consumers’ expectations of the food system and its actors (regulators, food industry and the media) and how these influence trust-related judgements that consumers make during a food safety incident.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, two groups of purposefully sampled Australian participants (n = 15) spent one day engaged in qualitative public deliberation to discuss unfolding food incident scenarios. Group discussion was audio recorded and transcribed for the analysis. Facilitated group discussion included participants' expected behaviour in response to the scenario and their perceptions of actors' actions described within the scenario, particularly their trust responses (an increase, decrease or no change in their trust in the food system) and justification for these.FindingsThe findings of the study indicated that food incident features and unique consumer characteristics, particularly their expectations of the food system, interacted to form each participant's individual trust response to the scenario. Consumer expectations were delineated into “fundamental” and “anticipatory” expectations. Whether fundamental and anticipatory expectations were in alignment was central to the trust response. Experiences with the food system and its actors during business as usual contributed to forming anticipatory expectations.Originality/valueTo ensure that food incidents do not undermine consumer trust in food systems, food system actors must not only demonstrate competent management of the incident but also prioritise trustworthiness during business as usual to ensure that anticipatory expectations held by consumers are positive.

Exploring Food Safety Messages in an Era of COVID-19: Analysis of YouTube Video Content

2021 ◽  
Vol 84 (6) ◽  
pp. 1000-1008
Author(s):  
MERLYN THOMAS ◽  
PEYTON HAYNES ◽  
JUAN C. ARCHILA-GODÍNEZ ◽  
MAI NGUYEN ◽  
WENQING XU ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Food Safety ◽  
Health Care Professional ◽  
Food Packaging ◽  
Food System ◽  
Safety Information ◽  
Educational Interventions ◽  
The United States ◽  
Grocery Store ◽  
Government Agencies

ABSTRACT Although severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is not a proven foodborne pathogen, the COVID-19 pandemic has put the food system on alert, and food safety has been identified as an important pillar in mitigating the crisis. Therefore, an understanding of how popular media are used as a vital disseminator of food safety and health information for the public is more important than ever. YouTube deserves particular attention as one of the most highly trafficked Web sites on the Internet, especially because YouTube has been blamed during the pandemic for spreading misleading or untrustworthy information that contradicts validated information. This study was conducted to evaluate the food safety information and practices circulating on YouTube during the COVID-19 pandemic and the alignment of these practices with recommendations from government agencies. A search for videos on YouTube was conducted using the key words “food and COVID-19,” “food safety and COVID-19,” and “groceries and COVID-19.” After applying a series of inclusive and exclusive criteria, 85 videos from the United States and Canada were evaluated. More than half (69%) of the videos presented hand washing procedures, 26% showed kitchen disinfection, and most (86%) showed take-out food or grocery store practices. Multiple produce washing procedures were also shown throughout videos. Food was not considered hazardous in 39% of the videos, but 24% mentioned that food packaging is potentially hazardous. Most videos cited government agencies and had a host or guest who was a health care professional, professor, or expert. Three videos were not aligned with a government agency's guideline or information cited; two were presented by a health care professional. These findings reveal the need to develop educational interventions that increase YouTube video host and guest awareness of social media use as a tool for food safety dissemination and the need to provide trustworthy information. HIGHLIGHTS

scholarly journals Bacteriocins: Production, different strategies of purification and applications

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 1808-1817 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vishakha Sharma ◽  
Rahul C Ranveer ◽  
Neelam Jain ◽  
Gajender Kumar Aseri
Keyword(s):  
Food Safety ◽  
Food Processing ◽  
Food Packaging ◽  
Food Preservation ◽  
Safety Parameters ◽  
Pharmaceutical Industries ◽  
Quality Of Food ◽  
Antibacterial And Antifungal ◽  
Food Safety And Quality

Food safety and quality are the major concern for food processing industries. In today's world, people are getting more conscious about food safety parameters. In this regard, bacteriocin plays a major role in ensuring the safety and quality of food products. From those, LAB bacteriocins are of great interest due to their GRAS status. They are widely used in food preservation, agriculture and pharmaceutical industries. They have also been incorporated into food packaging material due to their both antibacterial and antifungal properties. In this review, we highlighted the possible ways to produce and purify bacteriocin and also the potential application to be used as a natural preservative.

Food integrated management systems: dairy industry insights

2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 194-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Gianni ◽  
Katerina Gotzamani ◽  
Fotis Vouzas
Keyword(s):  
Food Safety ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Integrated Management ◽  
Environmental Management System ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Depth Study ◽  
Food Safety And Quality ◽  
Integrated Management Systems

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the management systems integration from both sector and size perspectives. Design/methodology/approach Extant literature is reviewed focussing on food-related management topics. A single case is used to delve into the understanding of integrated management systems (IMSs) using the contingency approach. Data are drawn from documents and archives, on-site observations and by interviewing employees of all hierarchy levels. Findings This case shows how size and sector-related constraints may condition integration in terms of IMS scope, strategy, level, audits, resources, motives, benefits and difficulties. Traceability is identified as an integration “catalyst” for multiple MSs in food companies. It is further discussed, how an environmental management system would be embedded within the existing integrated structure. Research limitations/implications Conclusions bring to light the sustained business leverage provided by food IMSs. Thus, food industry managers are driven to streamline the quality, food safety and environmental processes following an IMS approach. Future research on multiple cases of different size would reflect a wider IMS sector-specific perspective. Research on other sectors is expected to provide different particular aspects of integration, as well. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first in-depth study on the adoption of an integrated generic and sector-specific MS from the contingency perspective. The case visualizes the contribution of integration when addressing the critical food safety and quality operations and the significant environmental aspects.

Third Party Internet Seals

2010 ◽  
pp. 701-708 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Kerkhof ◽  
Guda van Noort
Keyword(s):  
Web Sites ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Consumer Trust ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Privacy And Security ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Consumer Responses ◽  
Online Consumers ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Future Research Directions

Buying online is still perceived as risky. A key strategy of online marketers to increase consumer trust in online ordering is to display privacy and security seals on their web sites. Although research indicates that these Internet seals do not necessarily mean better safety for online consumers, findings of several other studies demonstrated that these safety cues do influence consumer responses. The goal of this chapter is to provide the reader with an overview of findings regarding the persuasiveness of Internet seals and to reflect upon possible explanatory mechanisms for these effects. Future research directions and managerial implications for e-business are provided.

scholarly journals Food Safety Trust, Risk Perception, and Consumers’ Response to Company Trust Repair Actions in Food Recall Crises

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 1270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chuanhui Liao ◽  
Yu Luo ◽  
Weiwei Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Food Safety ◽  
Risk Perception ◽  
Information Sharing ◽  
Behavioral Intention ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Consumer Trust ◽  
Trust Repair ◽  
Food Recall

Food recalls have severe impacts on the operation, reputation, and even the survival of a recalling company involved in a crisis, with consumer trust violation being the immediate threat to the recalling firm. The involved firms adopt trust repair strategies and release messages relevant to these actions to the public. In this research, we developed a conceptual model to analyze consumers’ general responses to the food recall, and we then compared the effect of two types of consumer trust repair strategies, i.e., self-sanction and information-sharing. The results show that consumer food safety trust has negative impacts on consumers’ protective behavioral intention during a food recall crisis. In the scientific-evidence sharing group, consumers have a higher risk perception, coping appraisal efficacy, information-seeking tendency, and protection behavioral intention. However, consumers’ food safety trust fails to predict protection behavioral intention because scientific-evidence actions can either be regarded as an explanation and self-serving, or as useful facts and solutions. Self-sanction actions overcome the disadvantages of information-sharing actions, but consumers still require information on facts of and solutions to the crisis. Therefore, it is recommended that recalling firms combine these two strategies in the case of consumer trust repair in food recall crises. Furthermore, the involved firms are encouraged to employ a third party to release the scientific evidence.

scholarly journals Community Food

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evan Leacox
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Food System ◽  
Community Level ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
The Many ◽  
Ecologically Sustainable

The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 revealed vulnerabilities in industrial food systems, particularly in relation to food security. In this thesis I explore small-scale, local, and ecologically sustainable forms of agriculture (Small Ag) that are frequently presented as options enabling communities to achieve increased food security. This concept of Small Ag deserves closer investigation. This thesis describes an ethnographic pilot study of Small Ag I conducted in Boise, Idaho during the 2020 pandemic. Using remote digital research methods to conduct surveys and interviews, I investigated the beliefs, motivations, and behaviors of participants in Small Ag. I sought to answer basic questions: What does Small Ag look like as a food production system? How do individuals become involved in Small Ag? Why do they persist? What sustains a vibrant local community of participants? I learned that participants in Small Ag emphasize self-reliance and informality. While these ideals are not inherently bad, they can become barriers limiting the coordination of Small Ag as a more widely applicable food system. Increased coordination is needed to grow Small Ag as a resilient community-level food system. My research suggests that when third-party facilitators help coordinate and organize collaborations between the many aspects of Small Ag, the possibility for broader community-level engagement with local foods increases. Future research should focus on understanding how such facilitation might be strengthened.

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