Effects of food safety perception on health outcomes of urban consumers of ready-to-eat foods in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the effects of food safety perception on health outcomes of urban ready-to-eat (RTE) food consumers in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. Primary data was collected on demographics, perceptions and attitudes about food safety, food consumption frequency, and foodborne illness episodes. A multistage sampling procedure was employed among 120 consumers of RTE foods across the major restaurants in Ibadan. Descriptive statistics, cost of illness, Tobit, and Multiple regression models were used to analyse the data. The mean of food safety perception was 0.31 indicating a low level of food safety perception among the RTE food consumers. Food and snacks accounted for 58.58 per cent, and 14.64 per cent of the total share of RTE food weekly consumption expenditure. The financial cost was ₦11,070/year, and the time cost of illness was estimated to be ₦12,500.0/year. It was found that the young are more likely to be infected with a foodborne illness, yet those older than 18 years and above are more likely to die of the illness. It was found that age, education, and food safety perception of urban consumers RTE food are the significant factors influencing the health status of the consumers. It is concluded that out-of-home food  consumption is the leading cause of foodborne illnesses in the Ibadan metropolis. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that policy issues aimed at improving the health status of RTE food consumers  should focus more on increasing education and awareness of obesity, as well as food safety issues.