Abstract
This scoping review aimed to map the main evidence in the existing literature regarding consumer perceptions and beliefs regarding food safety in the context of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) countries. Articles were searched in the Web of Science, Scopus, and SciELO databases. The last search was performed on November 2021. Only the studies conducted within BRICS countries were included. The synthesis aimed to group similarities in consumer beliefs and perceptions of food safety. After screening, 74 eligible articles were included in the study. Of the 74 studies analyzed, 49 (66.2%) were carried out in China, 14 (18.9%) in Brazil, 5 (6.8%) in India,4 (5.4%) in South Africa, and 2 (2.7%) in Russia. Thirty-three motivators of perceptions and beliefs regarding food safety were identified. Food safety motivators were grouped into three categories: (1) sociodemographic characteristics, (2) cognitive aspects, and (3) other. In the “sociodemographic characteristics” category, the motivator with the highest number of corresponding results was education level (results = 22), followed by income (results = 22), both positive drivers for food safety perceptions. The “cognitive aspects” category comprised the majority of the identified motivators. Concern for food safety (results = 32) and risk perception (results = 30) were the motivators with the highest number of results among all categories and motivators. Finally, the main motivator in the “other” category was place of consumption/purchase (results = 8), focusing on consumers underestimating the risk of having a foodborne disease when eating away from home. China and Brazil are leading the way in studies on this topic. Consumers’ perceptions are influenced by socioeconomic characteristics (e.g., age, gender, education level, income), cognitive aspects (e.g., knowledge, risk perception, food concerns, previous experience with food safety incidents) and other situational factors (e.g., price, place of purchase, traceability).
Highlights
World Health Organization (WHO) [1] on the global burden of foodborne diseases (FBD)
BRICS is an acronym for defining a semi-institutionalized political group of countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa
Our findings show that China and Brazil are leading in studies on this subject and would be able to support other countries in research aimed at evaluating, managing, and communicating food safety risks
Summary
World Health Organization (WHO) [1] on the global burden of foodborne diseases (FBD). BRICS is an acronym for defining a semi-institutionalized political group of countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa These countries are large developing countries with substantial economic growth potential [28]. Brazil and Russia are more prominent commodity exporters, whereas China is a large commodity importer [28] These countries have very different views regarding politics, nuclear power, energy use, etc. We hypothesize that different socioeconomic characteristics and cognitive aspects shape food safety perceptions and beliefs within BRICS. To verify this hypothesis, we conducted a scoping review. This study aims to map the main evidence in the existing literature regarding the motivators of consumers’ perceptions and beliefs regarding food safety in the context of BRICS countries
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
