Consumer knowledge, attitudes, and behaviour regarding food safety – A perspective from Laos
Gyula Kasza,
Tekla Izsó,
Atilla Kunszabó,
Dávid Szakos,
István Lénárt,
Emese Bozánné Békefi,
Khamphouth Vongxay,
József Popp,
Judit Oláh,
Zoltán Lakner,
Widya Satya Nugraha,
Lajos Bognár,
Miklós Süth
Affiliations
Gyula Kasza
Institute of Food Chain Science, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, H-1078, Budapest, István Utca 2., Hungary
Tekla Izsó
Institute of Food Chain Science, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, H-1078, Budapest, István Utca 2., Hungary; Corresponding author.
Atilla Kunszabó
Institute of Food Chain Science, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, H-1078, Budapest, István Utca 2., Hungary
Dávid Szakos
Institute of Food Chain Science, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, H-1078, Budapest, István Utca 2., Hungary
István Lénárt
Institute of Linguistics and Intercultural Communication, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119991, Moscow, Trubetskaya Street, Russia
Emese Bozánné Békefi
Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Institute of Aquaculture and Environmental Safety - Research Center for Fisheries and Aquaculture, H-5540, Szarvas, Anna-liget U. 35., Hungary
Khamphouth Vongxay
Department of Livestock and Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Rue Khounta, Vientiane, Laos
József Popp
John von Neumann University Doctoral School of Management and Business Administration, 6000 Kecskemét, Izsáki u. 10., Hungary; College of Business and Economics, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, 2006, South Africa
Judit Oláh
John von Neumann University Doctoral School of Management and Business Administration, 6000 Kecskemét, Izsáki u. 10., Hungary; Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; Department of Trade and Finance, Faculty of Economics and Management, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Czech Republic; Corresponding author.
Zoltán Lakner
Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, H-1118, Budapest, Villányi út 29-43., Hungary; Tashkent State Agrarian University, 111200 University Street 2 Kibray, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Widya Satya Nugraha
Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, H-1118, Budapest, Villányi út 29-43., Hungary
Lajos Bognár
Hungarian Ministry of Agriculture, H-1055, Budapest, Kossuth Lajos Tér 11., Hungary
Miklós Süth
Institute of Food Chain Science, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, H-1078, Budapest, István Utca 2., Hungary
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.
