Perception and adoption of food safety practices (FSP) among beef sellers and consumers: Empirical evidence from Ghana

Abstract

AbstractFood-borne diseases remain a pressing global health issue, particularly in developing countries. Inadequate knowledge and low adoption of food safety practices among beef sellers lead to cross-contamination of raw beef, significantly contributing to the occurrence of beef-borne diseases. To effectively address this problem, it is crucial to prioritize the development of perception and adoption of food safety practices among beef sellers and consumers. Therefore, this paper examines perception and adoption of food safety practices using data from 820 beef sellers and 562 beef consumers in Ghana. We found positive perceptions with beef consumers and sellers about food safety practices. Additionally, the adoption of food safety practices by beef sellers was influenced by gender, age, educational level, income, credit access, engaged in other economic activity and membership of association. To ensure sustainable and healthy beef processing, consumption and marketing, enforcement of periodic medical examinations and hygienic selling environments should be considered. Policies for strengthening credit access capacity to drive the adherence to safety practices should be geared towards sellers in the beef industry.

Keywords

• adoption
• perception
• beef sellers
• food safety practices
• multivariate probit