Consumer attitudes and the governance of

food safetyOliver Todt, Emilio Muñoz, Marta González,

Gloria Ponce and Betty EstévezPublic Understanding of Science 2009; 18; 103 originally published online Nov 3, 2008

Abstract

This paper Analysis of a recent study of public perception of food safety governance in Spain

Indicator Genetically modified foods Authorities to facilitate informed

purchasing decisions & favor labeling of GM foods Right to know

Level of knowledge low Several ambivalences organizing /

searching background information

Introduction (1/2)

Significant turn in food crises (BSE, “mad cow disease”) and safety issues EU food law 2002

In order to centralize most regulatory, risk assessment and risk communication tasks European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) was founded.

Spain (member of EU) food legislation in 2001 & Spanish Food Safety Agency modeled largely

Introduction (2/2)

Regulatory changes respond to public mistrust

The Analysis based on public perception with respect to food safety governance in Spain

Spain the only EU member where GM crops were grown on a significant scale

Methodology Survey completed during July of 2004 It used computer-assisted telephone interviews Subject 1002 Spanish residents of 18 years

and older, selected at random from the telephone directory

Interviewed : general food safety issues, The recent foundation of food safety agencies on

the European and Spanish levels, Food labeling, GM foods and their regulation.

Results

Consumer attitudes to GM food regulation

Labeling

Decision Making

Knowledge of food safety and food regulation

75 percent of respondents confirm they are unaware of the existence of neither (EFSA) nor (AESA) food safety authorities.

95 percent of respondents are in favor of labeling GM foods, when questioned about their knowledge of the existence of such products, only 75 percent gave a positive answer

Spanish food consumer is passive.

Discussion

Spanish consumers

Passives

Trust experts

Need of being infromed

Consumers who possesses

knowledges

Demands authorities to

facilitate informed choice and respect

his or her preferences

Conclusions

Consumer behavior complex & subject to change

The potential of future conflict industry’s perception of the consumers as mostly passive & and the consumer attitudes

A consequence of the above is that food regulation needs consumer participation

Undang-Undang Pangan di Indonesia

Waren wet (UU Barang) N0. 10/1961 diadopsi dari Belanda Dutch Ordinance 1935

Surat KepMen Food Labelling dan

Advertensi 79/Menkes/PER/III/1978

Additive Makanan 225/Menkes/PER/VI/1979

Kewajiban pendaftaran Makanan 330/Menkes/PER/VII/1976

Surat KepMen Pertanian No. 280/Kpts/Vm/6/1973 mengenai Cara Permohonan Registrasi dan Persetujuan Pestisida

Surat KepMen Pertanian No. 7/1973 mengenai Peraturan Pengawasan Penjualan, Penyimpanan dan Penggunaan Pestisida

Surat KepMen Pertanian No. 22/1983 ttg pemeriksaan sebelum & setelah pemotongan ternak di RPH

Regulasi yang baru

Labeling dan promosi makanan (KepMenKes No. 69/1999)

Petunjuk implementasi untuk labeling dan promosi makanan (KepMenKes No.69/1999)

Standar nasional untuk tepung gandum sebagai bahan makanan (KepMen Industri dan Perdagangan No. 153/MPP/Kep/5/2001)

THANK YOU