Food safety risk perception: Gender differences

Abstract

Background: A significant factor in food safety is the consumers perception. The aim of this study is to determine consumers perception of food safety in the city of Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and to analyze the risk perception differences between genders. Methods and Objectives: The study included citizens of both genders (total sample was n = 211, 99 men, 112 women), between the ages of 15 and 55, during the year 2022 in Tuzla Canton in B&H. The standardized Food Safety Questionnaire was used through an online platform. Results: 52.1% of respondents stated that safety is one of the things that concerns them, while 26.5% stated that safety is the main concern when choosing food. Awareness and risk perception of food safety are at a high level, but the difference between genders is not significant either in the interest in food safety (P= 0.366) or in awareness and risk perception (P= 0.268). Conclusion: The results encourage continuous strengthening of awareness about the importance of food safety and informing the public. It would be desirable to compare the attitudes of people from rural and urban areas, and the entire population of Bosnia and Herzegovina.