Consumers’ Benefit—Risk Perception on Pesticides and Food Safety—A Survey in Greece

Konstantinos B. Simoglou and Emmanouil Roditakis
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Konstantinos B. Simoglou: Department of Quality and Phytosanitary Inspections, Rural Economy & Veterinary Directorate, Regional Unit of Drama, 66133 Drama, Greece
Emmanouil Roditakis: Department of Agriculture, School of Agricultural Sciences, Hellenic Mediterranean University, Estavromenos, 71004 Heraklion, Greece

Agriculture, 2022, vol. 12, issue 2, 1-20

Abstract: Pesticides are widely used to protect agricultural products from pests and diseases. Although a strict regulatory framework exists in the EU, concerns about pesticide residues in food are retained among consumers. This study represents the first large sample (N = 1846) attempt to identify the main predictors influencing Greek consumers’ attitude concerning the benefits—risks ratio of pesticide use. After a principal components analysis and a bivariate logistic regression were performed, it was found that Greek consumers express high concerns from pesticide residues in food regarding their loved ones and their own health. At the same time, however, they recognize to a significant extent beneficial contributions of the use of pesticides to food security and the national economy, as well. Several significant predictors of consumer’s attitude towards benefit—risks perception of pesticide use was identified, concerning personal values, pesticide user status, gender, confidence in controlling and certification procedures, and received information. Our results suggest that efforts for risk communication are needed to address food safety issues targeting the general public.

Keywords: consumer’s attitudes; pesticide residues; risk-benefit ratio; principal components analysis; logistic regression; cluster analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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