Abstract
BackgroundConsumer trust in food systems is essential for consumers, food industry, policy makers and regulators. Yet no comprehensive tool for measuring consumer trust in food systems exists. Similarly, the impact that trust in the food system has on health-related food behaviours is yet to be empirically examined. The aim of this research was to develop a comprehensive instrument to measure trust in the food system (the Dimensions of Trust in Food Systems Scale (DOTIFS scale) and use it to explore whether trust in the food system impacts consumers’ health-related behaviours.MethodsThe DOTIFS scale was developed using sociological theories of trust and pre-existing instruments measuring aspects of trust. It was pilot tested and content validity was assessed with 85 participants. A mixed-methods exploration of the health-related behaviours of 18 conveniently sampled Australian consumers with differing trust scores determined by the DOTIFS scale was then conducted. During March–July 2019 shopping- and home-observations were used to assess participants’ food safety practices and exposure to public health fortification programs, while the CSIRO Healthy Diet Score determined their adherence to national dietary guidelines.ResultsThe DOTIFS scale was found to have high comprehension, ease of use and content validity. Statistical analysis showed scale scores significantly trended as predicted by participants’ stated level of trust. Differences were found in the way individuals with more or less trust in the food system comply with national dietary guidelines, are exposed to public health fortification programs, and adhere to recommended food safety practices.ConclusionsThe DOTIFS scale is a comprehensive, sociologically- and empirically- informed assessment of consumer trust in food systems that can be self-administered online to large populations and used to measure changes in consumer trust over time. The differences in health-related behaviours between individuals with varying levels of trust warrant further investigation.
Highlights
Consumer trust in food systems is essential for consumers, food industry, policy makers and regulators
In combination with increased distance between food producers and consumers [8], recent food safety incidents, and public awareness of unethical conduct in food production through incidents like the Horsemeat scandal [9, 10], this strategy is effective in undermining consumer trust in food systems [7, 11]
DOTIFS scale development We begin by first reporting the comprehension, ease of use and completion data from both the pilot and general public deployment of the DOTIFS scale, followed by reporting content validity findings
Summary
Consumer trust in food systems is essential for consumers, food industry, policy makers and regulators. The information from the scientific community is challenged by alternative and pseudo-health professionals as well as non-health trained health bloggers, celebrities and conspiracy theorists through the rise in Web 2.0 [7]. These groups cast doubt on the legitimacy of government messages and activities, through questioning areas of scientific uncertainty and progress, broadly contrasting ‘new ways’ (perceived scientific intrusion in food production; pesticides, genetic modification, food additives) as dangerous and ‘old ways’ (unpasteurised foods, organic processes) and ‘natural’ foods as safe. For consumers what constitutes safe, healthy and ethically appropriate food, and whether to trust in conventional food systems to provide it, continues to be privately and publicly contested
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
