Özet:

The aim of this research is to analyze the attitudes and behaviors of consumers about food safety in Bursa province by conducting face-to-face surveys. In this study, surveys of 350 consumers from different socioeconomic and demographic groups and living in the 3 urban districts of Bursa (Osmangazi, Yıldırım and Nilüfer) were used. The results obtained from 65 questions about socioeconomic factors and food safety topics were analyzed by using the Chi square method. According to research findings; when the answers given to all the questions are evaluated, it is seen that the consumers living in the urban areas of Bursa province give a statistically significant importance to food safety and it was determined that consumers are aware of and apply many of the criteria (44/60 criteria) asked in the questionnaire. However, most of the consumers (72%) think that food safety level at the present time is lower in comparison with the previous years. Apart from that, it is also detected that, the rates of consumers, buying raw milk out of cold chain and hygiene controls and using the same cutting board for the preparation of meat together with the fruits and vegetables are as 52 % and 52 % respectively. Statistically important part of the respondents do not want the use of any additives in food products (72%), and they also believe that, chickens are grown in an entirely unhealthy and unnatural environment (78 %), only homemade yogurt is healthy (72%) and each natural product is organic (61%). These results indicate that, the consciousness level of consumers in Bursa on some food safety issues is inadequate or inaccurate; so that consumers need to be informed more effectively with the right channels of communication.

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