Consumer perception of food safety in Europe: a systematic review

Abstract

Despite one of the safest food systems globally, ongoing concerns among European consumers underscore the importance of food safety across the continent. This paper explores consumer knowledge, perception, and practices of food safety in Europe, with a focus on the influence of socioeconomic factors. Through a systematic review of the past decade’s publications and survey data analysis, we found diverse perceptions, driven by factors such as age, information source, and cooking frequency. Although Europeans are generally well-informed, significant gaps in understanding emerging technologies persist. Our findings suggest enhancing consumer education to bridge perception gaps and improve food safety practices.