The Impact of Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic on Food Purchasing, Eating Behavior, and Perception of Food Safety in Kuwait

Dana AlTarrah, Entisar AlShami, Nawal AlHamad, Fatemah AlBesher and Sriraman Devarajan
Additional contact information
Dana AlTarrah: Faculty of Public Health, Kuwait University, Kuwait City 12037, Kuwait
Entisar AlShami: Public Authority for Food and Nutrition, Kuwait City 207, Kuwait
Nawal AlHamad: Public Authority for Food and Nutrition, Kuwait City 207, Kuwait
Fatemah AlBesher: Public Authority for Food and Nutrition, Kuwait City 207, Kuwait
Sriraman Devarajan: Dasman Diabetes Institute, Kuwait City 15462, Kuwait

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 16, 1-15

Abstract: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the government in Kuwait implemented public health measures to control the spread of the virus. However, despite the importance of these restrictions, normal activities related to purchasing of groceries, concerns related to food safety, and overall uncertainty may have influenced food behaviors and food consumption. Hence, the study investigates the impact of COVID-19 on food purchasing behaviors, eating behaviors, and the perception of food safety and security among residents in Kuwait. A cross-sectional study was carried out using self-administered questionnaires between 28 July 2020 and 31 August 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kuwait. A total of 841 respondents participated in the study. The study identified several changes in food purchasing behaviors, eating behaviors, food consumption, and consumers perceptions on food safety during the pandemic. The closures, restrictions, and changes in food purchasing evidently influenced individual’s eating behaviors. Largely, participants were found to (i) change their food purchasing behavior (74%); (ii) opt for online food delivery services (42.8%); (iii) purchase long-shelf-life foods (e.g., canned food and dry staples) (76%); (iv) consume more meals at home (76%); and (v) follow public health measures to reduce the spread of the virus and ensure their safety (98%). This study indicates that individuals during times of uncertainty and stress change their food purchasing behaviors, food consumption habits, and follow guidelines and recommendations. These findings may help public health initiatives to focus on raising awareness about the importance of health, wellbeing, and nutrition during times of crises.

Keywords: food purchasing; food safety; eating behavior; COVID-19; pandemic; Kuwait; perception (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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