Organic Food Quality and Safety Perception Throughout Europe

Abstract

Many more consumers have tried organic food at least once, but despite higher consumer awareness, they still show a great concern about food quality and safety. Recent research showed that there is still little knowledge of how organic products are produced and processed and which characteristics are fundamental for the consumer with regard to quality and safety. In this scenario, primary producers, processors and other stakeholders in the organic supply-chain have the difficult task of understanding consumers' complex and sometimes contradictory wishes with regard to organic food. The aim of this study is to examine food quality and safety issues related to buying organic products. To provide a better insight on the safety and quality issues in a cross-cultural setting, the linkages among consumers personal values – as final expression of consumer product knowledge - are analysed, by means of laddering data 8 for EU countries.