Consumers’ Perception of Food Quality and Safety in Terms of Buying Processes

Abstract

Food safety and quality is a global and multidisciplinary notion that has an impact upon both food industry companies and consumers. Sustainable agriculture and consumption are not currently just fashion, and the consumer relationship with the product is very important because it is not enough to produce responsibly - consumer awareness of the production should also be increased. A consumer deciding to choose a specific product should be aware of why he has made a purchase. There are many determinants that can convince him for specific products; some of them are quality and safety. These two issues seem to be inextricably linked to the idea of sustainable development. Nowadays consumers’ awareness of food products choices is noticeably rising, thereby the study aims at researching and assessing consumers’ perception of food quality and safety and the related impact upon buying processes. The results arising from the study have made it plausible to state that contemporary consumers perceive themselves as individuals who are aware of safety and quality of food products they buy, and top quality food is associated by them most of all with the lack of preservatives, quality certificates, and a producer’s assurance that a food product is 100% organic.