Consumer perceptions of fruit and vegetable quality: certification and other options for safeguarding public health in West Africa

Keraita, Bernard; Drechsel, Pay

doi:10.5337/2015.215

Cited by 17 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 32 publications

(50 reference statements)

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“…A similar case was found for potatoes and cauliflower production in Pakistan (Ensink et al, 2004). Thereby, since consumers are often unaware of health risks of consuming crops irrigated with wastewater, consumers prefer crops which are larger in size and look more fresh (Keraita and Drechsel, 2015).…”

Section: Crop Productionsupporting

confidence: 61%

The Dilemmas of Water Quality and Food Security Interactions in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

2021

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Water is a factor input for many food system activities such as agriculture, food processing and consumption. However, food system activities also affect water resources. Moreover, the shift in focus of food security in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) from producing enough staple foods toward healthy diets stimulates local production of fresh food such as fruit, vegetables and fish even in water scarce regions. To secure local production, polluted water is used for food production, processing and consumption, which might jeopardize human health. However, scientific evidence is still scattered and fragmented. The aim of this study is to systematically investigate the empirical tested impacts of water quality on the food system activities and vice versa. Using a comprehensive framework, we sketch the inter-relationships between water quality and food systems based on a literature study. Food system activities included food production (crop production, livestock and aquaculture), food processing, and food consumption. Multiple contaminants were incorporated such as nitrogen, phosphorus, pesticides, pathogens, cyanotoxins, and heavy metals. Moreover, we considered different water sources such as groundwater, surface water, wastewater and coastal water. We found that food system activities contaminate water in several ways, and these differ between food system activity and type of food produced. The impact of water quality on the food system depends on the food produced, the type of contaminant and techniques of food preparation. In addition, food is contaminated in multiple ways along the food system. Irrigation with polluted water may sound familiar, but polluted water is sometimes also used in food processing (cleaning of equipment or food products), and in food preparation (at home or by street vendors). Hygiene in food consumption is crucial to prevent fecal-oral transmission. However, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) received little attention in relation to food consumption. If local production of fresh food is encouraged to improve food security, all aspects of water quality should be analyzed to avoid undesirable consequences.

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Section: Crop Productionsupporting

confidence: 61%

The Dilemmas of Water Quality and Food Security Interactions in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

2021

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“…Certification, labelling and accreditation schemes were also suggested as a way to improve the quality of food (Downs et al, 2018;Lagerkvist et al, 2018;Maitiniyazi and Canavari, 2021). These recommendations have been further explored in a review in West Africa (Keraita and Drechsel, 2015), which concluded that regulatory measures, such as certification are not the most effective measure to improve food safety due to limited or overburdened institutional capacities (Grace, 2015;WHO, 2020). Improving and upgrading food safety in LMICs is important as most of the food system relies on the informal sector, which can have a significant impact on human and economic value.…”

Section: Recommendations For Policy Actionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How do food safety concerns affect consumer behaviors and diets in low- and middle-income countries? A systematic review

Liguori

Trübswasser

Pradeilles

et al. 2022

Global Food Security

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Both food safety and dietary behaviors are major contributors to the global burden of disease, especially in rapidly urbanising environments. The impact that food safety concerns have on dietary behaviors in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) is insufficiently documented. Therefore, we examined whether food safety concerns influence consumer behaviors/diets in LMICs. A systematic review identified 46 relevant studies from 20 LMICs for inclusion. A socio-ecological food environment framework was used to map food safety factors that influence consumer behaviors (food acquisition/purchase, eating out of home, food preparation/storage) and diets (consumption of nutrient rich/poor foods). Several studies (n = 11) reported that despite food safety concerns, consumers could not always ensure that they consumed safe food; barriers were affordability, accessibility and appeal. Key concerns included fear of pesticides, fertilizers, hygiene in/around food outlets, unhygienic vendor practices and household storage/preparation methods. These concerns may reduce consumption of animal sourced food and fresh fruit and vegetables; and increase consumption of starchy staples and processed/ packaged foods. Policies such as upgrading urban market infrastructure to enhance food safety, accompanied by nutrition and hygiene education, could lead to increased accessibility, affordability and appeal of safe, nutrientrich foods. Thus, reducing the appeal of packaged/processed food as a means to mitigate food safety risk; thereby contributing to preventing foodborne disease and multiple forms of malnutrition.

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“…For instance, health concerns are likely to increase vegetables consumption due to its health impacts. Consuming a sufficient amount of vegetables has important health benefits, but consumers also become concerned when vegetables are contaminated through the use of agrochemicals and contaminated irrigation water in production (Bellwood-Howard et al , 2015; Keraita and Drechsel, 2015; Amoah et al , 2006, 2011). These unwholesome production practices pose human health risks when such vegetables are consumed (Sangkumchaliang and Huang, 2012; Carvalho, 2006; Amoah et al , 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effects of income and food safety perception on vegetable expenditure in the Tamale Metropolis, Ghana

Amfo

Ansah

Donkoh

2019

JADEE

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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine how consumers’ concern for food safety and income levels influence vegetable consumption patterns and expenditure in Tamale, Ghana. Design/methodology/approach Using data from a survey of 300 urban consumers, quantile regression analyses are used to examine how food safety consciousness, income and other factors influence vegetable expenditure across different quantiles. Findings Whereas protein-rich foods take smaller proportion, vegetables and cereals take more than half of the household food budget. Poor households spend greater proportion of income on food relative to wealthier households, although absolute amounts spent on food takes the opposite direction. Engel’s law applies to composite food expenditure and individual food classes. Bennett’s law applies to various food groups, with high-income households showing high dietary diversity than middle- and low-income households. Food safety consciousness and income groupings significantly influence vegetable expenditure at various quantiles. Expenditure of food safety conscious and high-income consumers are positioned on higher quantiles. Research limitations/implications The findings suggest a potential for agribusiness investors to develop safer vegetable niche markets in the study area. Originality/value The study is the first to analyze vegetable consumption in Ghana with a focus on food safety consciousness, income levels and consumers’ location.

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Consumer perceptions of fruit and vegetable quality: certification and other options for safeguarding public health in West Africa

Cited by 17 publications

References 32 publications

The Dilemmas of Water Quality and Food Security Interactions in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

The Dilemmas of Water Quality and Food Security Interactions in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

How do food safety concerns affect consumer behaviors and diets in low- and middle-income countries? A systematic review

The effects of income and food safety perception on vegetable expenditure in the Tamale Metropolis, Ghana

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