Food risk perceptions, purchasing behaviour and culture of fear

Abstract

This article investigates public perceptions of food risks and food purchasing in Lithuania. Study results identify that food related concerns are prevailing in Lithuanian society over many environmental, health and technological risks, such as global climate change, nuclear power or genetic engineering. Authors argue that modern food risks can be characterized as out of personal control risks and the predominance of food risks in public attitudes denotes that food cultures are becoming cultures of fear. Research revealed that inhabitants of Lithuania are highly concerned about food safety, however these concerns are not reflected in the patterns of food purchasing behaviors.