Recognition Level of Imported Food and Its Correlation with Discrimination Ability

Han, Jang Il; Kim, Seong Ai

Abstract

This study used questionnaires to investigate the safety awareness for imported foods by 365 male and female adults in Taejon. The results of the study were as follow : By factor analysis, the subjects' behaviors and awareness of the imported food was grouped into 3 factors such as 'health and quality factor', 'purchasing factor' and 'contamination factor'. 'Health and quality factor' and 'purchasing factor' were not recognized negatively by the subjects, moreover' contamination factor' was recognized very highly. The subjects' concern and worry about the imported food was also very high. The marital status, education level, nutriton knowledge adn recognition level of contamination by pesticides and heavy metals of foods partially affected the recognitio level of imported foods. The major selection criteria of imported food were distribution period(36.3%), price(28.8%) and purchasing experience(17.3%). The imported food mean discrimination score was 8.4+/-3.1 out of 13. The worst discriminatio score was red pepper. The subjects' experiences with imported foods selection affected the most instead of education level or nutrition knowledge. The higher discrimination score group more negatively recognized imported food and contamination recognition level was higher whereas the lowerdiscrimination score group more positively recognized the purchasing frequency and with to buy more easily. But both groups desired to reinforce contamination control. The better discrimination score of imported food pooring recognized sanitation concerns(p<0.05), quality(p<0.05), cooking convenience(p<0.01), desire for more variety(p<0.05), and the higher contamination recognition level(p<0.05) and desire to reinforce contamination control(p<0.01).