Agri-Food Fraud in a Geographic Area in Relation to Global Health: A Probe into the Perceptions, Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, and Concerns of Cameroonian

Abstract

Objective: This study probes into the perceptions, knowledge, attitudes, practices, and concerns of Cameroonians on agri-food fraud intra-/inter-Cameroon trade borders about the local and global health of consumers. Results: Two hundred and two Cameroonians (56% male and 44% female; including business people, entrepreneurs, farmers, students, etc) responded to the online questionnaire. Many participants (81%) were interested in the origin and authenticity of food they consume. Their perception on authentic agri-food product is mostly influenced by feedbacks from other consumers (59%), besides other factors (price/cost, labeling, packaging, and taste). Most participants (58%) sought information about the food products from other consumers (46.4%), in addition to the internet, self-intuition, product labels, and from retailers and suppliers. Participants (54%) considered canned food, fish, red palm oil, honey, spices, milk, meat, palm wine, cookies, wine, brewed, and powdered products to be vulnerable to fraud. Participants specified that intake of authentic food makes consumers healthier (73%) and nurtures confidence in the brand (36%), while dietary exposure to manipulated foods may result in sicknesses (80%), and a decrease in consumers’ confidence in the food brand. Participants think agri-food fraud across Cameroon trade borders is commonplace (91%), as such food products should be bought cautiously (88%). The majority of participants indicated that to ensure the authenticity and safety of food products across the Cameroon trade borders, there is a need for proper regulations and standards (81%), effective traceability systems (69%), technology such as blockchain (48%), and multi-stakeholder collaboration (48%) including international collaborations focusing on shared intelligence (76%), unified food standards (53%), accompanied by joint inspections (59%) and data exchange (48%). Participants speculated that the global disease burden may be linked to the consumption of manipulated foods (91%). Conclusion: There is speculation on agri-food fraud in Cameroon and across its trade borders. Thus, there is a need for proper agri-food fraud information, education, and communication to improve consumers’ awareness and health protection. There is a needfor a wareness raising on agri-food fraud from multistake holder view-point (e.g. consumer advocacy groups) at national and international levels.