Abstract
As a recent addition to the UK market, it is unknown how ‘raised without antibiotics’ labelled products are perceived or how they influence consumer food choice. Understanding consumers' perceptions towards the ‘raised without antibiotics’ label can determine knowledge of the label and what drives them to purchase products raised without antibiotics. Subsequently, using an online questionnaire with 1000 participants aged 18–92 years old, this study explored UK consumers' perceptions and willingness to buy ‘raised without antibiotics’ labelled pork, and examined their knowledge of antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance (AMR11Antimicrobial resistance.). Cross-sectional data were collected investigating consumer perceptions and willingness to purchase ‘raised without antibiotics’ labelled pork and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted. Respondents had high levels of knowledge towards EU regulations however, their awareness of AMR was limited. Behavioural beliefs concerning animal welfare and product quality were the main predictors of consumers' willingness to buy ‘raised without antibiotics’ labelled pork, followed by pork purchasing habits based on animal welfare qualities. Additionally, consumers who were more concerned that AMR would personally affect them, as well as those who favoured antimicrobial use for the preservation of animal welfare were willing to buy this product. Perceptions towards animal antimicrobial use acceptance, beliefs that ‘raised without antibiotics’ labelled pork is expensive, and a lack of consideration for extrinsic qualities when purchasing pork i.e., appearance, had a negative influence on willingness to buy. Moderate perceptions towards ‘raised without antibiotics’ labelled pork, lack of knowledge of agricultural antimicrobial use, and the subsequent confusion surrounding this label suggests that it is necessary to explore other labelling options to provide consumers with the information they desire while also safeguarding animal welfare.
Highlights
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a worldwide public health concern diminishing the effectiveness of medication to treat illness with serious consequences for both animal and public health (Bokma et al, 2018)
The present study suggests that consumers generally have positive beliefs towards traditional pork, relating to product quality and the animal welfare standards involved during production
Our study shows that consumers do value animal welfare standards during pork production, research in this area varies substantially and more research should be conducted; as it can be more difficult to justify the use of antibiotic treatments in the agricultural sector if consumers do not value animal welfare
Summary
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a worldwide public health concern diminishing the effectiveness of medication to treat illness with serious consequences for both animal and public health (Bokma et al, 2018). As awareness of AMR has increased over the years, concerns have arisen surrounding antimicrobial use in food-producing animals, towards the potential zoonotic transfer of resistant bacteria from ani mals to humans (Ekakoro et al, 2019). This cross-species transmission is thought to occur through direct contact between humans and animals and indirectly via the environment and food chain (Sadiq et al, 2018); there is currently no robust evidence to demonstrate the extent or quantify the level of risk to humans from animal antimicrobial use (Coyne et al, 2018; Ekakoro et al, 2019).
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