Eurasian consumers' food safety beliefs and trust issues in the age of COVID-19: evidence from an online survey in 15 countries

BACKGROUND

This investigation provides an important insight into Eurasian consumers' food safety beliefs and trust issues influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. An online survey was conducted in 15 European and Asian countries involving more than 4000 consumers.

RESULTS

It has confirmed that different socioeconomic characteristics, cultural aspects and education levels shape food safety perceptions within Eurasian countries. The COVID-19 pandemic influenced their beliefs and trust in food safety, which is relatively low on average. However, it is significantly higher for European consumers (especially European Union ones) compared to their Asian counterparts. Both Asian and European respondents agreed that food fraud and climate changes represent a food safety issue. However, European consumers were less concerned regarding the food safety of genetically modified foods and meat and dairy analogs/hybrids. Asian consumers were, to a greater extent, worried about the risk of getting COVID-19 from food, restaurants, food retail establishments and home food deliveries.

CONCLUSION

Eurasian consumers have put their greatest extent of trust, when food safety assurance is concerned, into food scientists and food producers holding a food safety certificate. Broadly, they are uncertain to what extent their federal governments and food inspectors are competent, able and efficient in ensuring food safety. Higher education of Eurasian consumers was followed by increased food safety confidence in all parts of the food chain. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Health-related quality of life of teen/adult patients with cystic fibrosis in the Republic of North Macedonia

The present study investigates the Health-related quality of life of teen/adults patients with cystic fibrosis in the Republic of N. Macedonia for the first time. The main objective was to describe the health-related quality of life status of these patients with cystic fibrosis and the second objective was to investigate the connection of the current medical treatment with the analysed parameters. The survey was conducted on 31 patients by using the Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire Revised for Health-related quality of live measurement and questions for current medical treatment. All patients scored their digestive condition with the highest score, while the lower score was reported for social activity. The gender, the nationality and the educational level of the patients with Cystic Fibrosis had no significant impact on their perception of Health-Related Quality of Live. The highest score for digestive condition was in positive correlation with the fact that all patients continuously used enzyme therapy. Patients who practiced physical therapy and physical activities reported high scores for physical conditions and body images. This finding point out that patient with Cystic Fibrosis should be encouraged to practice physical activity more often. The lowest scores for life activities and treatment burden shows that this medical condition has a negative impact on the patients’ self-perception and in the execution of their daily activities. Keywords: cystic fibrosis, Health-Related Quality of Live, digest, daily activities