Consumer Perception & Awareness on Food Safety in the Developing Countries – A Critical Review

Abstract

World Health Day focuses on demonstrating the importance of food safety along the whole length of the food chain in a globalized world. Food safety is the shared responsibility. It is important to work all along the food production chain from farmers, manufactures to vendors and consumers. Unsafe food creates a vicious cycle of disease and malnutrition, particularly affecting infants, young children, elderly and the sick. Unsafe food is linked to the deaths of an estimated 2 million people annually including many children. There is an urgent need for strengthening the existing food policies to incorporate the importance of food safety, which is ignored most of the times, improving the food governance. This study is based on exploratory research by reviewing available literature on consumer perception and awareness on food safety in developing countries. The food we eat must be nutritious and safe, but we often ignore or overlook the issue of food safety. There is need to Improve the nutrition center in the country, actively spread information and raise consumer awareness about food safety issues. There are other issues related to the costs of implementation of food safety measures and the compliance with the standards which the Government should take care. There is an urgent need for strengthening the existing food policies to incorporate the importance of food safety. The policy makers must include “safe food” as a top priority and integrating “food safety” in the nutrition and food security policies and programs. Good collaboration between governments, producers and consumers helps ensure food safety.