Perceptions of Risk, Control, and Responsibility Regarding Food Safety among Consumers in Lebanon

Abstract

The political situation in Lebanon has reportedly impacted the implementation of food safety law. Although responsibility is placed upon the food industry to ensure food safety, consumers should also take responsibility. To date, no studies have explored the perceptions of risk, control, and responsibility of consumers regarding food safety in the region. Consequently, this study explored the food safety perceptions of consumers in Lebanon by using quantitative researcher measures. Lebanese consumers (n = 95) responded to a self-complete questionnaire to determine perceptions of risk, control, responsibility, and hygiene consciousness regarding food safety. Correlations were determined between personal perceptions of risk, control, responsibility, and hygiene consciousness (P < 0.001), whereby low levels of risk were correlated with high levels of control, responsibility, and hygiene consciousness. Statistically significant differences were determined between perceived risk, control, responsibility, and hygiene consciousness for “self” compared with other people (“others”) (P < 0.005), suggesting consumers in Lebanon exhibit perceptions of invulnerability, optimistic bias, illusion of control, and superiority bias. The most notable finding was that experiencing foodborne illness had a negative impact upon perceptions of risk, control, and responsibility to prevent foodborne illness. The perceptions and biases identified among study respondents are of great importance to help inform the development of future food safety interventions.