Journal article

Publication year: 2004

Pages: 34-46

Journal: Fresenius Environmental Bulletin

Volume number: 13

Issue number: 1

ISSN: 1018-4619

Publisher: Psp

Abstract: 
The uncertainty of consumers is strongly discussed in public and in scientific research. Whenever one part in the chain of food supply breaks, consumers request: "What still can we eat?" Food uncertainty exists in all industrialised countries concerning the quality and the safety of food.What is uncertainty? Can uncertainty be interpreted as a phenomenon of saturation in industrialised countries? What leads to uncertainty? Who is uncertain? And which strategies can be developed dealing with the public relations and consumer education in the food sector in order to create a dialogue of confidence among market partners?In order to answer these questions empirical results reported mainly come from two studies: study of "Consumer Uncertainty regarding Convenience Food" and study of "Shopping Behaviour of Private Households towards Regional Food".The results show that the dimension of consumer uncertainty is influenced by different aspects: the loss of esteem, estrangement, recognition of and knowledge about food and the different perception of risk. Strategies for a targeted risk communication are relevant topics which should be developed in co-operation with representatives of consumer policy and the food industry.

Harvard Citation style: Bergmann, K., Dorandt, S. and Leonhäuser, I. (2004) Uncertainty of consumers: Explanations and perspectives of food confidence, Fresenius Environmental Bulletin, 13(1), pp. 34-46

APA Citation style: Bergmann, K., Dorandt, S., & Leonhäuser, I. (2004). Uncertainty of consumers: Explanations and perspectives of food confidence. Fresenius Environmental Bulletin. 13(1), 34-46.