Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 356
FIGURE 1. Information paradox.a
a
Effective risk communication, situated at the inner of the two
concentric circles, occurs by balancing two seemingly paradoxical
demands situated in the outer of the two concentric circles: too
much information that is perceived as unnecessary or ineffective
for audiences and simultaneously too little information that is
perceived as essential or effective for audiences (19).
Overall, discussion in five of the six focus groups indicated
a current unwillingness to stop consuming titanium dioxide
based on learning the substance is banned in the European
Union. The exception was one individual in focus group
2 who indicated they would attempt to avoid exposing
their children to titanium dioxide. Participants in all six
focus groups, however, expressed the need for additional
information and the desired nature of such information.
Most saw a deficit in the quantity and quality of information
available. Some questioned the motives of the FDA, and
others saw the European Commission as credible despite
their lack of familiarity with it. Respondents expressed a
need for personal diligence in confirming or expanding on
the information provided before deciding to stop consuming
products with titanium dioxide.
DISCUSSION
Regarding the distinction between hazard and risk, the
participants in this study appeared comfortable with the
FDA restriction placed on the quantity of titanium dioxide
present in food products. Although none of the participants
denied that titanium dioxide could be hazardous, their focus
appeared less on the hazard and much more on the risk posed
to them as consumers. Participants consistently saw the risk
as low. One exception was a parent showing concern for
their children's safety. This finding suggests that American
consumers are conditioned to assess dangers in their food
products, with a focus on risk rather than hazard. The focus
on risk and risk tolerance fits with the assumption established
by Barlow et al. (1) that food safety is not absolute. Although
agencies such as the FDA attempt to identify and disallow or
avoid hazardous ingredients and biological factors causing
356 Food Protection Trends September/October
adverse effects in the food supply, respondents seemed to
accept that some degree of risk is always present.
The fact that many of the participants expressed an inability
to discriminate among potential hazards in the food supply fits
with the findings of Verbeke et al. (25). These findings suggest
that consumers are somewhat overwhelmed by the number
of potential food supply hazards brought to their attention
by government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and
media sources. Participants in this study articulated a similar
perception of information overload and implied that titanium
dioxide is simply another hazard about which they know little.
Still, much of the discussion in the focus groups concentrated
on the need for more information and the importance of
personal responsibility where consumers seek out their own
information. This finding reveals an informational paradox
(19) (Fig. 1). Respondents said they were both overwhelmed
or desensitized by the wealth of information about the many
potential hazards they face and disappointed in the lack
of information available, and they articulated the personal
obligation or commitment to seeking out more information.
The information paradox observed in this study aligns
with the recommendations provided by Littlefield et al.
(11). Consumers appreciate and are more likely to comply
with safety recommendations when hazards and risks are
discussed interactively, allowing for feedback through
dialogue. Individuals at risk want and need more information
about (i) how to distinguish among hazards and (ii) how to
make healthful choices. Sellnow et al. (18) recommended
involving consumers in conversations about food safety
by seeking feedback on content, soliciting and answering
questions, and listening to consumer concerns-even when
those concerns are not necessarily scientifically credible.
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024
Food Safety Needs Assessment for North American Pecan Shellers
Identifying Training Needs in Washington through Insights from Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training
Hazard versus Risk in Perceptions of Food Safety: The Case of Titanium Dioxide
Peroxyacetic Acid and Chlorine Reduce Escherichia coli in Agricultural Surface Water for Potential Produce Postharvest Uses
Beyond the Bio Jeffrey LeJeune
PDG Highlight Food Packaging
General Interest Paper Promoting Food Safety in the Informal Markets of Low- and Middle-Income Countries: The Need for a Rethink
Industry Products
Coming Events
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - Cover1
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - Cover2
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 329
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 330
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 331
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 332
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 333
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 334
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 335
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - Food Safety Needs Assessment for North American Pecan Shellers
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 337
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 338
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 339
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 340
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 341
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 342
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 343
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - Identifying Training Needs in Washington through Insights from Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 345
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 346
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 347
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 348
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 349
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 350
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - Hazard versus Risk in Perceptions of Food Safety: The Case of Titanium Dioxide
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 352
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 353
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 354
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 355
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 356
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 357
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 358
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - Peroxyacetic Acid and Chlorine Reduce Escherichia coli in Agricultural Surface Water for Potential Produce Postharvest Uses
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 360
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 361
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 362
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 363
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 364
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 365
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 366
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 367
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 368
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 369
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - Beyond the Bio Jeffrey LeJeune
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 371
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 372
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - PDG Highlight Food Packaging
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 374
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 375
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - General Interest Paper Promoting Food Safety in the Informal Markets of Low- and Middle-Income Countries: The Need for a Rethink
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 377
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 378
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 379
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 380
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 381
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 382
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 383
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - Industry Products
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 385
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 386
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 387
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 388
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 389
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 390
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - 391
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - Coming Events
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - Cover3
Food Protection Trends - September/October 2024 - Cover4
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