Abstract
This paper deals with the actual expectations of consumers on food safety and their predictable behaviour in case of foodborne outbreaks. We present an overview of the purchase process for risky products and the reason why the consumer has a specific behaviour with respect to the sanitary risk. Moreover, by taking the results of different works that focused these effects in the meat and fruit and vegetables sectors, we show how the real quality signals on the European market (organic production, designation of origin, private retail labels, etc.) could promote consumer confidence.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Notes
- 1.
- 2.
Brix degrees are roughly equivalent to the percentage of sugar present in the pear.
References
Aguiar Fontes M, Lemos JPC, Banovic M, Monteiro ACG, Lúcio C, Duarte F, Fraústo da Silva M, Barreira MM (2008) Is beef differentiation a real source of competitiveness? A combination of procedures to achieve an answer. In: Fanfani R, Ball E, Gutierrez L, Ricci Maccarini E (eds) Competitiveness in agriculture and food industry: US and EU perspectives. Bologna University Press, Bologna
Alfnes F, Rickertsen K (2003) European consumers’ willingness to pay for US beef in experimental auction markets. Am J Agric Econ 85(2):396–405
Anderson MD, Hollingsworth CS, Zee VV, Coli WM, Rhodes M (1996) Consumer response to integrated pest management and certification. Agric Ecosyst Environ 60(2–3):97–106
Angulo AM, Gil JM (2007) Risk perception and consumer willingness to pay for certified beef in Spain. Food Qual Prefer 18(8):1106–1117
Antle JM (2001) Economic analysis of food safety. In: Gardner B, Rausser G (eds) Handbook of agricultural economics, vol 1. Elsevier, Amsterdam
Arnade C, Calvin L, Kuchler F (2009) Consumer response to a food safety shock: the 2006 food-borne illness outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 linked to spinach. Rev Agric Econ 31(4):734–750
Barreira MM, Banovic M, Aguiar Fontes M (2005) As preferências dos consumidores portugueses face às crises. Livro do XV Congresso de Zootecnia, pp 187–191
Bazoche P, Combris P, Giraud-Héraud E, Seabra Pinto A, Bunte F, Tsakiridou E (2014) Willingness to pay for pesticides’ reduction in EU: nothing but organic? Eur Rev Agric Econ 41(1):87–109
Becker G, DeGroot M, Marschak J (1964) Measuring utility by a single-response sequential method. Behav Sci 9(3):226–232
Bernard JC, Bernard DJ (2010) Comparing parts with the whole: willingness to pay for pesticide-free, non-GM, and organic potatoes and sweet corn. J Agric Resour Econ 35(3):457–475
Bernués A, Olaizola A, Corcoran K (2003) Labelling information demanded by European consumers and relationships with purchasing motives, quality and safety of meat. Meat Sci 65(3):1095–1106
Blend JR, Van Ravenswaay EO (1999) Measuring consumer demand for ecolabeled apples. Am J Agric Econ 81(5):1072–1077
Boccaletti S, Nardella M (2000) Consumer willingness to pay for pesticide-free fresh fruit and vegetables in Italy. Int Food Agribus Manag Rev 3(3):297–310
Bunte FHJ, van Galen MA, Kuiper WE, Tacken G (2010) Limits to growth in organic sales. De Economist 158(4):387–410
Burton M, Young T, Cromb R (1999) Meat consumers’ long-term response to perceived risks associated with BSE in Great Britain. Cah Écon Sociol Rural 50:7–19
Buzby JC, Skees JR (1994) Consumers want reduced exposure to pesticides on food. Food Rev 17(2):19–22
Buzby JC, Richard C, Ready RC, Skees JR (1995) Contingent valuation in food policy analysis: a case study of a pesticide- residue risk reduction. J Agric Appl Econ 27 (2):613–625
Caswell JA, Joseph S (2006) Consumers’ food safety, environmental and animal welfare concerns: major determinants for agricultural and food trade in the future. Paper presented at the summer symposium of the international agricultural trade research consortium (IATRC): food regulation and trade: institutional framework, concepts of analysis and empirical evidence, Bonn, 28–30 May 2006
Chinnici G, D’Amico M, Pecorino B (2002) A multivariate statistical analysis on the consumers of organic products. Br Food J 104(3/4/5):187–199
Combris P, Seabra Pinto A, Fragata A, Giraud-Héraud E (2010) Does taste beat food safety? Evidence from the “Pera Rocha” case in Portugal. J Food Prod Mark 16(1):60–78
Cranfield JAL, Magnusson E (2003) Canadian consumer’s willingness-to-pay for pesticide free food products: an ordered probit analysis. Int Food Agribus Manag Rev 6(4):13–30
Dahlgran RA, Fairchild DG (1987) The demand impacts of chicken contamination publicity – a case study. Agribusiness 18(4):459–474
Dickinson DL, Bailey D (2002) Meat traceability: are US consumers willing to pay for it? J Agric Resour Econ 27(2):348–364
Enneking U (2004) Willingness-to-pay for safety improvements in the German meat sector: the case of the Q&S label. Eur Rev Agric Econ 31(2):205–223
Eom Y (1994) Pesticide residue risk and food safety valuation: a random utility approach. Am J Agric Econ 76(4):760–771
Fox J, Hayes D, Shogren J (2002) Consumer preferences for food irradiation: how favourable and unfavourable descriptions affect preferences for irradiated pork in experimental auctions. J Risk Uncertain 24(1):75–79
Fu T-T, Liu J-T, Hammitt JK (1999) Consumer willingness to pay for low-pesticide fresh produce in Taiwan. J Agric Econ 50(2):220–233
Gil JM, Soler F (2006) Knowledge and willingness to pay for organic food in Spain: evidence from experimental auctions. Food Econ Acta Agric Scand Sect C 3(3–4):109–124
Gil JM, Gracia A, Sánchez M (2000) Market segmentation and willingness to pay for organic products in Spain. Int Food Agribus Manag Rev 3(2):207–226
Govindsamy R, Italia J, Adelaja A (2001) Predicting willingness-to-pay a premium for integrated pest management produce: a logistic approach. Agric Resour Econ Rev 30(2):151–159
Govindsamy R, Italia J (1998) A willingness-to-purchase comparison of integrated pest management and conventional produce. Agribusiness 14(5):403–414
Govindsamy R, Italia J (1999) Predicting willingness-to-pay a premium for organically grown fresh produce. J Food Distrib Res 30(2):44–53
Grunert KG (2005) Food quality and safety: consumer perception and demand. Eur Rev Agric Econ 32(3):369–391
Grunert KG, Bredhal L, Brunsø K (2004) Consumer perception of meat quality and implications for product development in the meat sector – a review. Meat Sci 66(2):259–272
Hammitt JK (1993) Consumer willingness-to-pay to avoid pesticide residues. Stat Sin 3(2):351–366
Henneberry SR, Mutondo JE (2007) Food labels: implications for U.S. agricultural imports. J Agribus 25(2):197–214
Henson S (1996) Consumer willingness to pay for reductions in the risk of food poisoning in the UK. J Agric Econ 47(1–4):403–420
Henson S, Northen J (2000) Consumer assessment of the safety of beef at the point of purchase: a pan-European study. J Agric Econ 51(1):90–105
Hollingsworth CS, Paschall MJ, Cohen NL, Coli WM (1993) Support in New England for certification and labeling of produce grown using integrated pest management. Am J Altern Agric 8(2):78–84
Hooker NH, Caswell JA (1996) Trends in food quality regulation: implications processed food trade and foreign direct investment. Agribusiness 12(5):411–419
Huang CL (1993) Simultaneous equation model for estimating consumer risk perceptions, attitudes and willingness to pay for residue-free produce. J Consum Aff 27(2):377–396
Huang C (1996) Consumer preferences and attitudes towards organically grown produce. Eur Rev Agric Econ 23(3):331–342
Jolly DA (1991) Differences between buyers and non-buyers of organic produce and willingness to pay organic price premiums. J Agribus 9(1):97–111
Knowles T, Moody R, McEachern MG (2007) European food scares and their impact on EU food policy. Br Food J 109(1):43–67
Krystallis A, Fotopoulos C, Zotos Y (2006) Organic consumers’ profile and their willingness to pay (WTP) for selected organic food products in Greece. J Int Consum Mark 19(1):81–106
Latouche K, Rainelli P, Vermersch D (1998) Food safety issues and the BSE scare: some lessons from the French case. Food Policy 23(5):347–356
Loureiro ML, Umberger WJ (2007) A choice experiment model for beef: what US consumer responses tell us about relative preferences for food safety, country-of-origin labeling and traceability. Food Policy 32(4):496–514
Loureiro ML, McCluskey JJ, Mittelhammer RC (2001) Assessing consumer preferences for organic, eco-labeled, and regular apples. J Agric Resour Econ 26(2):404–416
Loureiro ML, McCluskey J, Mittelhammer R (2002) Will consumers pay a premium for eco-labeled apples? J Consum Aff 36(2):203–219
Luijk R, Schalk S, Muilerman H (2000) Have we lost our minds? Neurotoxin residues harmful to the developing brains of our children. Consumentenbond ans Sticting Natuur en Milieu, The Hague
Lusk JL, Schroeder TC (2000) Effects of meat recalls on futures market prices. Paper presented at the NCR-134 conference on applied commodity price analysis, forecasting, and market risk management, Chicago, IL, April 2000
Magnusson E, Cranfield JAL (2005) Consumer demand for pesticide free food products in Canada: a probit analysis. Can J Agric Econ 53(1):67–81
Mangen MJ, Burrell AM (2001) Decomposing preference shifts for meat and fish in The Netherlands. J Agric Econ 52(2):16–28
Mazzocchi M (2004) Food scares and demand recovery patterns: an econometric investigation. Paper prepared for presentation at the 84th EAAE seminar on food safety in a dynamic world, Zeist, 8–11 February 2004
McCluskey JJ, Grimsrud KM, Ouchi H, Wahl TI (2005) Bovine spongiform encephalopathy in Japan: consumers’ food safety perceptions and willingness to pay for tested beef. Aust J Agric Resour Econ 49(2):197–209
McKenzie AM, Thomsen MR (2001) The effect of E. Coli 0157:H7 on beef prices. J Agric Resour Econ 26(2):431–444
Miles S, Brennan M, Kuznesof S, Ness M, Ritson C, Frewer LJ (2004) Public worry about specific food safety issues. Br Food J 106(1):9–22
Misra SM, Huang CL, Ott SL (1991) Consumer willingness to pay for pesticide-free fresh produce. West J Agric Econ 16(2):218–227
Monier S, Hassan D, Nichèle V, Simioni M (2009) Organic food consumption patterns. J Agric Food Ind Organ 7, Article 12. Available at: http://bepress.com/jafio/vol7/iss2/art12
Mullen JD, Norton GW, Reaves DW (1997) Economic analysis of environmental benefits of integrated pest management. J Agric Appl Econ 29(2):243–253
Nayga R, Aiew W, Nichols J (2005) Information effects on consumers’ willingness to purchase irradiated food products. Rev Agric Econ 27(1):37–48
Nayga RM, Woodward R, Aiew W (2006) Willingness to pay for reduced risk of foodborne illness: a nonhypothetical field experiment. Can J Agric Econ 54(4):461–475
Ott SL (1990) Supermarket shoppers’ pesticide concerns and willingness to purchase certified pesticide residue-free fresh produce. Agribusiness 6(6):593–602
Penner K, Kramer C, Frantz G (1985) Consumer food safety perceptions. MF774. Kansas State Univ. Ext. Service, Manhattan, KS
Pennings JME, Wansink B, Meulenberg MTG (2002) A note on modeling consumer reactions to a crisis: the case of the mad cow disease. Int J Res Mark 19(1):91–100
Peretti-Watel P (2001) La crise de la vache folle: une épidémie fantôme? Sci Social Santé 19(1):5–38
Piggott NE, Marsh TL (2004) Does food safety information impact U.S. meat demand? Am J Agric Econ 86(1):154–174
Posri W, Shankar B, Chadbunchachai S (2006) Consumer attitudes towards and willingness to pay for pesticide residue limit compliant “safe” vegetables in Northeast Thailand. J Int Food Agribus Mark 19(1):81–101
Project Agro 422 (2004–2007) Project AGRO 422 – Uma política de qualidade para a carne de bovino em Portugal: modos de produção, gostos e preferências dos consumidores. FMV-ULisboa
Robenstein RG, Thurman WN (1996) Health risk and the demand for red meat: evidence from futures markets. Rev Agric Econ 18(4):629–641
Roosen J, Fox JA, Hennessy DA, Schreiber A (1998) Consumers’ valuation of insecticide use restrictions: an application to apples. J Agric Resour Econ 23(2):367–384
Roosen J, Lusk JL, Fox JA (2003) Consumer demand for and attitudes toward alternative beef labeling strategies in France, Germany, and the UK. Agribusiness 19(1):77–90
Shogren J, Fox J, Hayes D, Roosen J (1999) Observed choices for food safety, in retail, survey, and auction markets. Am J Agric Econ 81(5):1192–1199
Smallwood DM, Blaylock JR (1991) Consumer demand for food and food safety: models and applications. In: Caswell JA (ed) Economics of food safety. Elsevier, New York, NY
Tagbata D, Sirieix L (2008) Measuring consumer’s willingness to pay for organic and fair trade products. Int J Consum Stud 32(5):479–490
Thomson GD (1998) Consumer demand for organic foods: what we know and what we need to know. Am J Agric Econ 80(5):1113–1118
Tonsor GT, Shupp R (2009) Valuations of “sustainably produced” labels on beef, tomato, and apple products. Agric Resour Econ Rev 38(3):371–383
Tsakiridou E, Zotos Y, Mattas K (2006) Employing a dichotomous choice model to assess willingness to pay (WTP) for organically produced products. J Food Prod Mark 12(3):59–69
Umberger WJ, Feuz DM, Calkins CR, Sitz BM (2003) Country-of-origin labeling of beef products: US consumers’ perceptions. J Food Distrib Res 34(3):103–116
Verbeke W, Ward RW (2001) A fresh meat almost ideal demand system incorporating negative TV press and advertising impact. Agric Econ 25(2–3):359–374
Viegas I (2013) Consumers’ willingness to pay for safer, cleaner and animal friendlier beef. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Lisbon, Lisbon
Viegas I, Santos JM, Aguiar Fontes M (2013) Consumers’ perceptions towards beef safety, animal welfare and environment: getting insights and choice scenarios from focus groups. University of Lisbon, Lisbon (Unpublished paper)
Weaver RD, Evans DJ, Luloff AE (1992) Pesticide use in tomato production: consumer concerns and willingness-to-pay. Agribusiness 8(2):131–142
Wezemael LV, Verbeke W, Kügler JO, de Barcellos MD, Grunert KG (2010) European consumers and beef safety: perceptions, expectations and uncertainty reduction strategies. Food Control 21(6):835–844
Yiridoe E, Bonti-Ankomah S, Martin R (2005) Comparison of consumer perceptions and preference toward organic versus conventionally produced foods: a review and update of the literature. Renew Agr Food Syst 20(4):193–205
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2015 Springer International Publishing Switzerland
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Fontes, M.A., Giraud-Héraud, E., Pinto, A.S. (2015). Consumers’ Behaviour Towards Food Safety: A Literature Review. In: Hammoudi, A., Grazia, C., Surry, Y., Traversac, JB. (eds) Food Safety, Market Organization, Trade and Development. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-15227-1_6
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-15227-1_6
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-15226-4
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-15227-1
eBook Packages: Business and EconomicsEconomics and Finance (R0)