An Analysis of Consumer Preferences for Information Sources on Food Safety by using Fuzzy Pair-wise Comparison

The main objective of this study is to measure consumer preferences for information sources on food safety along with the factors influencing the degree of consumer preferences in Turkey. The data were obtained from a survey of 385 consumers selected randomly in Izmir, Turkey. This study involves two-stage methodology. In the first stage, fuzzy pair-wise comparison was applied to calculate a measure of preferences. Five information sources on food safety, television programmes, doctors/experts, newspapers/journal articles, radio programmes and neighbors/friends were given to the consumers. The consumers were asked to make pair-wise comparisons among the information sources. The information source hierarchies of consumers were established and ranked from most to least importance. The results show that the most important information sources of consumers are “doctors/experts” and “television programmes”. The consumer preferences from the first stage were regressed upon the consumer specific variables by using seemingly unrelated regression in the second stage. The preferences for information sources are mainly influenced by education and level of income.Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods,

Report on evaluation of the revision of council regulation (EEC) NO 2092/91, import regime in two exporting non-EU countries (TR, CH) and on an international level

This report provides an evaluation of the new EU import regulation for organic products (Council Regulation (EC) 834/2007, Commission Regulation (EC) No 1235/2008). To ensure that the evaluation addresses the issues and concerns of the stakeholders affected by the new import regulation and to increase the use of the evaluation results for upcoming decisions, this evaluation was organised as a stakeholder evaluation approach. Based on the results from two national workshops in third countries (Turkey and Switzerland) and from one international workshop, the report concludes in policy recommendations to improve the import system for organic products as well as the organic sector as a whole

The EU revised organic import regulation: What do the stakeholders think?

International Relations/Trade,

An Analysis of Consumer Preferences for Information Sources on Food Safety by using Fuzzy Pair-wise Comparison

The main objective of this study is to measure consumer preferences for information sources on food safety along with the factors influencing the degree of consumer preferences in Turkey. The data were obtained from a survey of 385 consumers selected randomly in Izmir, Turkey. This study involves two-stage methodology. In the first stage, fuzzy pair-wise comparison was applied to calculate a measure of preferences. Five information sources on food safety, television programmes, doctors/experts, newspapers/journal articles, radio programmes and neighbors/friends were given to the consumers. The consumers were asked to make pair-wise comparisons among the information sources. The information source hierarchies of consumers were established and ranked from most to least importance. The results show that the most important information sources of consumers are “doctors/experts” and “television programmes”. The consumer preferences from the first stage were regressed upon the consumer specific variables by using seemingly unrelated regression in the second stage. The preferences for information sources are mainly influenced by education and level of income

The food safety perception in Turkey: gender variation

WOS: 000303282800011The main aim of this study is to determine the level of consciousness of the people who are involved in agricultural activities about food safety and quality. The current study also aims to understand the difference of approaches by different sexes while displaying their perception of food safety and healthy nourishment concerning the consumer choices. The perceptions about food safety in a random sample of 800 different households from rural Turkey which are involved in economic activity both as consumers and producers, was determined and the responsibilities of woman and man in food production were displayed. Besides, information on socio-demographic characteristics of the households was given. The evaluations were performed on the data obtained from 1590 questionnaires answered by a man and a woman in each of a total of 795 household. Some differences were identified between men and women regarding the perception of food safety. The idea that hormones and residues cause harm dominates both groups' thoughts. In addition, they denoted that the chemical boxes and packaging should be evaluated as threats to food safety. Willingness of the women to participate in the courses that would be given in their locations was high, while their partners' sensitivity to these courses was low. Some nutrition knowledge was mis-established, and it was determined that, due to the commitment to traditions, in some of the families difficulties may arise in changing the customs

European Union Membership Process of Turkey: Perspective of Rural Area

WOS: 000295766400011In the present research(5), the knowledge level and the perceptions of rural society that would be affected from the EU membership in many ways, basically as the practitioners and beneficiaries, and constitute 30% of the population of the country are investigated. The standpoint of individuals living in rural areas, their expectations from membership and their opinions about the membership are analysed. The study encloses the results of questionnaires administered between the last quarter of 2005 and the first quarter of 2006 with 795 women and 795 men in 18 provinces. In the study 55% of the 1590 individuals surveyed know what the EU means and 67% of these individuals lean towards the membership. It is determined that the level of consciousness of men is higher than for women. The quality enhancement in agricultural production appears to be the most remarkable expectations of both women and men from the membership. Besides it is also determined that the expectations of better employment opportunities and the attainment of an increase in income are higher among women

Turkish consumers' attitudes towards frozen foods

WOS: 000286039800011This study analyzed the purchasing behaviours of consumers and non-consumers of frozen food products in Izmir province, which is one of the three largest provinces of Turkey. A total of 271 randomly selected consumers were determined with proportional sampling method. Cluster analysis was performed to group both the participants who buy and the participants who do not buy frozen products into homogenous clusters. Cluster analysis considered gender, age, education, marital status, longest place of residency, working status, number of family members, personal income level and factor scores of attitude variables, which were reduced using factor analysis. Both the study participants who buy and do not buy frozen products in Izmir province were divided into three different clusters. "Time saving" and "ease of preparation" were among the highly effective reasons offered by the consumers - included in all three groups buying frozen products - in purchasing frozen food. It was found that frozen food consumers mostly preferred to purchase frozen pizza, millefeuille, potatoes, meat and meat products. Since various vegetables and fruits are available in Turkey at any time of the year, the consumers did not prefer to purchase frozen vegetables and fruit. It was found that study participants - who buy and do not buy frozen products - prefer to prepare vegetable group products by freezing them in their homes. Consumers with a higher personal income level had a higher demand for frozen products. It was concluded that advertising and services offered for the needs, desires and expectations of this group would be more appropriate to stimulate the frozen food sector.Ege UniversityEge UniversityThis article is based on research project funded by Ege University Scientific Research Project Fund