Attitudes and beliefs on the establishment of a national food safety authority in Cyprus. A population-based survey
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- 作者：Andreas Hadjigeorgiou ; Michael A. Talias ; Elpidoforos S. Soteriades ; Anastasios Philalithis ; Anna Psaroulaki ; Achilleas Gikas ; Yiannis Tselentis
- 关键词：Cyprus ; National food safety authority ; Food control authorities ; Food legislation ; Attitudes and beliefs ; Population survey
- 刊名：Appetite (APPET)
- 出版年：1 April, 2014
- 年：2014
- 卷：75
- 期：Complete
- 页码：90-96
- 全文大小：297 K
文摘
Cyprus does not have a National Food Safety Authority (NFSA), but a multi-level, fragmented system with responsibilities divided among different ministries and governmental agencies, frequently impeding efforts to effectively manage food risks by duplication and overlapping of responsibilities. A population-based survey was carried out to determine the beliefs and attitudes of interested parties concerning the establishment of a NFSA in Cyprus. Information was collected using a random stratified sampling design and a structured questionnaire. A total of 868 questionnaires were collected (704 from regular consumers, 154 from food businesses鈥?representatives, and 10 from public services鈥?directors or acting head officers). About 11% of food businesses鈥?representatives and 45% of consumers reported that they did not know which public authorities are responsible for food control. Moreover, 2 out of 10 (17%) of responders from public agencies, 70% from food businesses and 91% from consumers, although not aware of ongoing efforts to establish a food safety authority in Cyprus (currently under consideration), were supportive of the idea [8 out of 10 (83%) of responders from public services, 93% from food businesses, and 89% of consumers]. Finally, 7 out of 10 (67%) from the public agencies and 84% of representatives from food businesses agreed with the separation of risk assessment from risk management activities. Public opinion in Cyprus as well as public agencies and food businesses鈥?representatives support the establishment of a single independent national food safety authority in Cyprus based on the European paradigm including the division of risk activities.