Food safety in the light of a quantitative consumer study

Abstract

Food industry has been a strategic sector for Hungary. Production of abundant, safe and quality foodstuff is
important for our domestic and foreign consumers. In the 21st century domestic food products still have
appreciation, so it is quite important to maintain and improve consumers’ trust in Hungarian food.
The topic of food safety has a central position on the global interest map. In Hungary – in harmony with the
European Union’s food safety policy – the most important areas are: consumer health protection (can not be
influenced by any economic and/or political interest), food safety and food security (guarantee the country’s
sovereignty).
In the last five decades food supply and food consumption have changed and it has become more intensive in
the last 15-20 years. The identification and management of emerging risks have also become important and
necessary. Hungarian Food Chain Control Authority, food-businesses and consumers are all responsible for
the reduction of risk factors in the food chain. The methodology of risk analysis includes studying consumer
risk perception as a part of risk communication. Consumer research is a tool to gain first-hand information
and results help building Authority programs and planning consumer-centralized projects for companies.