Food scares and trust: A European study

Mazzocchi, M., Lobb, A., Traill, W. B. and Cavicchi, A. (2008) Food scares and trust: A European study. Journal of Agricultural Economics, 59 (1). pp. 2-24. ISSN 0021-857X doi: 10.1111/j.1477-9552.2007.00142.x

Abstract/Summary

The complex interactions between the determinants of food purchase under risk are explored using the SPARTA model, based on the theory of planned behaviour, and estimated through a combination of multivariate statistical techniques. The application investigates chicken consumption choices in two scenarios: ( a) a 'standard' purchasing situation; and (b) following a hypothetical Salmonella scare. The data are from a nationally representative survey of 2,725 respondents from five European countries: France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Results show that the effects and interactions of behavioural determinants vary significantly within Europe. Only in the case of a food scare do risk perceptions and trust come into play. The policy priority should be on building and maintaining trust in food and health authorities and research institutions, while food chain actors could mitigate the consequences of a food scare through public trust. No relationship is found between socio-demographic variables and consumer trust in food safety information.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/8897
Item Type	Article
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Life Sciences > School of Agriculture, Policy and Development
Uncontrolled Keywords	chicken, consumer behaviour, food safety information, risk perception, theory of planned behaviour, trust, PLANNED BEHAVIOR, INFORMATION, ATTITUDES, EFFICACY, SAFETY
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