Can Food Safety Practices and Knowledge of Raw Fish Promote Perception of Infection Risk and Safe Consumption Behavior Intentions Related to the Zoonotic Parasite Anisakis ?

Uberta Ganucci Cancellieri, Giulia Amicone, Lavinia Cicero, Alessandro Milani (), Oriana Mosca, Marialetizia Palomba, Simonetta Mattiucci and Marino Bonaiuto
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Uberta Ganucci Cancellieri: Department of Social and Educational Sciences of the Mediterranean Area, University for Foreigners “Dante Alighieri” of Reggio Calabria, 89125 Reggio Calabria, Italy
Giulia Amicone: Department of Psychology of Development and Socialization Processes, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Lavinia Cicero: Faculty of Psychology, e-Campus Telematic University, 22060 Novedrate, Italy
Alessandro Milani: Department of Psychology of Development and Socialization Processes, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Oriana Mosca: Department of Education, Psychology, Philosophy, University of Cagliari, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
Marialetizia Palomba: Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, Tuscia University, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
Simonetta Mattiucci: Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital “Policlinico Umberto I”, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Marino Bonaiuto: Department of Psychology of Development and Socialization Processes, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 9, 1-16

Abstract: The study of the zoonotic parasites of the genus Anisakis and human anisakiasis is an increasingly hot topic in evolutionary biology and epidemiological studies carried out on natural and accidental (human) hosts, given the risk of this parasite to human health. However, the assessment of social-psychological factors relevant to Anisakis ’ risky consumption of human behavior is still an understudied topic. Given the centrality of the topic, highlighted by its presence in Goals 2 (subgoal 2.1, achieve food security and improve safe nutrition) and 3 (health and well-being) of the 2030 Agenda, it appears necessary to deepen our social-psychological knowledge regarding this specific topic. There is plenty of psychological research focused on antecedents of fish and seafood consumption; however, parasite risk is not often specifically examined. This research is aimed at increasing the safety of consumers’ seafood products by examining their psychological aspects, such as knowledge, perception, awareness, and concern about Anisakis . Past and future behavior intentions were also investigated. Analyses were carried out on a sample of 251 subjects, and a path analysis model was used to explain possible relations assumed among the variables. The results of the study showed that habits related to raw fish consumption and self-perceived health were, respectively, positively, and negatively correlated with a higher perceived risk of contracting anisakiasis. This perceived risk in turn correlates positively with a greater willingness to pay for Anisakis -free fish. Similarly, prior knowledge of the disease was found to be associated with prior avoidance of fish consumption, which in turn was found to be positively correlated with a greater willingness to pay for Anisakis -free fish.

Keywords: Anisakis; risk perception; knowledge; health; habits; food security; willingness to pay (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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