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President's Message
Spring 2010
Your Perception May Be Your Reality
I was reading an interesting study of Taiwanese consumers on how their individual health concerns impact their attitudes towards consuming functional foods (foods perceived to be nutritious and health-supporting). The format was a self-reported questionnaire study comprised of 633 consumers. Not surprisingly, the researchers found that their "modern health worries" directly impacts their attitude and willingness to use functional foods. We see this all the time, really, of people who regularly consume dietary supplements, purchase organic only foods, etc. if they perceive that these foods will positively impact their health.
I'm certain that this concept can be applied toward food safety and which foods we choose to purchase and eat. I saw a trailer on the side of the road selling tomatoes at a very good price. So, you might tell me, go buy some - if you're worried about the source, then just wash it really well. However, the food safety professional in me tells me "Don't forget that tomatoes can absorb salmonella into the pulp" and so I drive by the roadside vendor and purchase more expensive tomatoes at my local supermarket. My perception is that the supermarket chain has a good reputation for vetting out unsanitary suppliers and so I'm willing to pay more for that comfortable thought.
I sometimes do the same thing if I'm away from home and in the mood for a hamburger. While the thought of a homestyle-cooked burger at a mom-and-pop joint appeals to me, I can't help but be concerned about the way it's handled and cooked. So I'm probably sacrificing flavor for safety by going to the fast food restaurants instead, where their execution of food safety, as a whole, is better than the mom-and-pop places.
Does your perception of food safety impact the choices of what and where you eat?
Alan Talarsky
MAFP President
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Last updated: 08/23/2008.