Food Protection Trends - May/June 2021 - 282

subjected to high temperatures during boiling, frying, and
cooking that are sufficient to reduce microbial contaminants
to safe levels.
A major limitation observed in this study is the possibility
of response bias associated with the use of a questionnaire.
To eliminate this bias, the questionnaire was pretested and
close-ended questions were asked. Based on the pretest,
several response biases were removed. The services of trained
questionnaire administrators with adequate knowledge of
food safety were used.
In conclusion, this study found moderate perceived food
risk among consumers of retail meat in Ilorin. Although these
consumers indicated that meat processors are important in
assuring beef food safety, freshness of meat remained the
major means they used to ascertain the safety of meat at
retail. These results are important indicators of consumers'
risk perception and preferences and could be used to
influence consumers' preference for meat in Nigeria and
other developing countries. Developing official grades and
standards with consumer participation would be a useful
way to lessen consumer perception of food safety risk. Based

on microbial counts, the level of hygiene practice in meat
preparation was severely deficient, which is a potential cause
of consumers' negative perception of food safety at the retail
meat level. Consumers' perception of meat safety and risk
should be regarded as a key concern for policy formulation
in Nigeria and other developing economies where food
production and safety systems are stressed, poorly structured,
and underdeveloped. Continuous education and training on
good hygiene and manufacturing processes are essential for
meat producers and processors, especially for those involved
in the retail meat sector.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We appreciate the respondents and surveyed retail
outlets for taking part in the study and also the laboratory
technologists of the Food Safety Laboratory, Department
of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine,
University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria.
DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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