Consumer knowledge, attitudes, and behaviour regarding food safety – A perspective from Laos

Kasza, Gyula and Izsó, Tekla and Kunszabó, Atilla and Szakos, Dávid and Lénárt, István and Bozánné Békefi, Emese and Vongxay, Khamphouth and Popp, József and Oláh, Judit and Lakner, Zoltán and Nugraha, Widya Satya and Bognár, Lajos and Süth, Miklós (2024) Consumer knowledge, attitudes, and behaviour regarding food safety – A perspective from Laos. Heliyon, 10 (9): e29725. pp. 1-15. ISSN 24058440

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Abstract

Primary research data on food chain safety at consumer level is needed to help policymakers to decrease the risk of foodborne infections in the Lao People's Democratic Republic. Therefore, the objectives of this study are to 1) determine Lao people's food safety knowledge, attitudes, and intentions and identify the most influential factors that shape their food safety behaviour, and 2) to support the government in the development of more efficient risk communication programmes. A paper-based consumer survey was implemented to collect quantitative data on the selected topics about Laotian consumers, as well as on the equipment of households regarding the conditions and tools necessary for safe food preparation and storage. A model was developed based on the extended Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), and partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was applied to analyse the factors that affect food safety behaviour. The elements of Knowledge and Perceived Behavioural Control positively influence behaviours, such as using separate chopping boards for raw and ready-to-eat foods. According to the model, only 10 of the Intentions would be translated into Behaviours, which gap can be explained by the lack of a hygienic environment. Although the survey indicated that Laotian people intend to follow food safety guidelines, participants felt they lacked sufficient knowledge. This perception was validated by the knowledge test and behavioural part of the study. In the light of these findings, it is essential to raise awareness and promote food safety knowledge and interventions, such as enhancing food safety education in childhood. This would help to facilitate and encourage adopting safe practices to improve overall food safety at the consumer level, delivering positive impacts also to the food business sector.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: Cited by: 0; All Open Access, Gold Open Access
Uncontrolled Keywords: Food safety; Consumer behaviour; Structural equation modelling; Theory of planned behaviour; Risk communication
Subjects: S Agriculture > S Agriculture (General)
Divisions: Faculty of Agriculture > Department of Social Agricultural Economics
Depositing User: Laili Hidayah Hidayah
Date Deposited: 28 Aug 2024 04:36
Last Modified: 28 Aug 2024 04:36
URI: https://ir.lib.ugm.ac.id/id/eprint/3329

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