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

Konstantinos B. Simoglou,Emmanouil Roditakis

doi:10.3390/agriculture12020192

Konstantinos B. Simoglou, Emmanouil Roditakis

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12020192

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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.

Highlights

Pesticides are used in many areas of agriculture to improve yield and product quality [1]
It was found that Greek consumers express high concerns about pesticide residues in food for their loved ones and their own health
They recognize to a significant extent the beneficial contributions of the use of pesticides for food security and the national economy as well

Summary

Introduction

Pesticides are used in many areas of agriculture to improve yield and product quality [1]. Concerns have been expressed about the potential negative effects of pesticides on the health of the general population via dietary exposure. Population studies have revealed possible links between exposure to pesticides and severe health effects, including cardiovascular disease, negative effects on the male reproductive system and nervous system, dementia, a potential increased risk for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma [13], as well as a possible role in colorectal carcinoma etiology [14]. After the recently published retrospective cumulative risk assessments of dietary exposure to residues in 2014, 2015, and 2016 of pesticides that have acute effects on the nervous system [23] and chronic effects on the thyroid [24], the European Food Safety Authority has concluded that, with varying degrees of certainty, cumulative dietary exposure does not reach the threshold for regulatory consideration for all the European population groups examined. Research on the health benefits of fruit and vegetable consumption has demonstrated that they significantly outweigh the pesticide residues’ estimated risks [25]

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Conclusion