Allocating Responsibility and Costs for Food Safety and Food Defense: Government Versus Food Processors and Manufacturers

Abstract

International trade of processed food is increasing and the safety of this food could be improved with greater international cooperation. A survey of consumers in six developed countries asked about the perceived responsibility of government for improving traditional food safety (i.e., natural and accidental contamination) and reducing food defense risks (i.e., deliberate contamination). Subjects were also asked about processor and manufacturer responsibilities and about how the costs should be allocated between processors and manufacturers and government. Considerable variation was noted between the countries, which may limit the political support for international food safety initiatives. Demographics, country dummy variables, Hofstede’s cultural dimensions, and Minkov’s cultural dimensions were tested to explain the variations and could account for some of the differences. Compared with the US, the other countries were less willing to allocate a significant portion of food safety or food defense expenses to the government. Processors and manufacturers may need to promote their food safety efforts in countries where they are expected to be more responsible than government. Enhancing their efforts and adjusting their marketing messages about food safety by country could help food producers enhance their reputations and improve the safety of the world food supply.