The impact of COVID-19 on consumers' eating and purchasing habits of agricultural products in China: key determinants and policy implications

Background The study looks at a changed in consumer’s eating and purchasing habits during COVID-19 period. There are several modes of transmission but transmission through food as being speculated is one area that has not been confirmed through research. The study, therefore, looks at how speculations about COVID-19 spreading through food has affected consumers' eating and purchasing habits. This study through probit model analysed how consumers' eating and purchasing habits have been influenced. Results The result shows that age, gender and education have negatively influenced consumer’s eating and purchasing habits during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to pre-pandemic period. The preference for imported food items, preference for frozen food, been infected or knowing someone who has been infected by the virus, and been infected through agricultural source or knowing someone who has been infected by the COVID-19 through agricultural source have negatively affected consumers' eating and purchasing habits compared to pre-pandemic period. The result, however, suggests that consumers who trust in the cold-chain food systems ability to limit the spread of the COVID-19 still maintain a positive eating and purchasing habits. Conclusions The study provides evidence on the impact of COVID-19 on consumer’s eating and purchasing habits. Therefore, there is the need to institute proper sanitary measures, especially at cold-chain food systems to help curb the spread and also boost consumers’ confidence.

Assessing Consumer Awareness and Opinion Toward Food Safety Practices and Policies in the Maldives

The Maldives relies completely on imported food for its staples such as rice, flour, and sugar. It is reported that the Maldives produces less than one-tenth of its overall food requirements. Due to its huge dependence on imported food products, Maldives is exposed to a high risk of contaminated food and foodborne illnesses caused within the supply chain. This chapter aimed to investigate the level of awareness among the public of the Maldives relating to food safety practices in the food industry. An online survey was developed and administered to the consumers in the Maldives. A total number of 369 usable responses were analyzed statistically. The findings highlight that even though there was a high level of awareness of the participants towards food safety in general, participants were poorly aware of the activities and the consumers' roles in the food safety practices. This study serves as a baseline study for future research in this area, particularly in the Maldives.

Analisis Kesesuaian UU No. 33 Tahun 2014 Tentang Jaminan Produk Halal Pada Pangan Impor di Indomaret Wilayah Kabupaten Kuningan

This study uses a field research method with a qualitative approach. Qualitative data on the procurement process for imported products and product sales under the JPH Law were obtained through interviews with store heads, observations and documentation of Indomaret outlets in the Kuningan Regency area. The results of this study indicate, first, the provisions for imported food products that can be found in Indonesia according to the JPH Law, namely the discovery of the appropriate halal label on the product and has a halal certificate and has a registration number (this is specifically for halal certified products abroad, it is mandatory to register to) BPJPH and its registration number on the product). Second, the products supplied to Indomaret in the Kuningan Regency area come from one Distribution Center (DC), namely DC Cirebon, so it can be ascertained that all products sold at Indomaret outlets in the area, including imported food products, are the same. Third, during the five-year transition period (October 2014-October 2019) it turned out that some importers had not utilized optimally to implement halal certification of products. The proof is that in 2021, which means that two years have passed since the transition period, there are still products that are not labeled as halal or labeled as not halal in Indomaret, the Kuningan Regency area.

Features ensuring food security for the population of the North and Arctic of Russia

The article reveals the northern and Arctic specifics of food security, including unfavorable conditions for agriculture, low provision of biological resources, a decrease in the level of self-sufficiency of the population in agricultural products, and a high dependence of food on imports. The author considers risks and threats to food security and measures to overcome them. The main directions of ensuring food security related to the availability of domestic and imported food products, improving the quality of life, and reducing the poverty of citizens are proposed.

Legal Protection for Consumers on Online Trade of Imported Food Products That Do Not Have a Circulation License in Indonesia

Legal protection for consumers for online trading of imported food products without a distribution permit is something that is very important to do in Indonesia, considering that for consumers to obtain any goods through buying and selling is not something difficult in the era of modern technology at this time with the presence of online media, but maintaining the health of certain food products is the main goal for everyone. The presence of online media makes it easier for consumers and business actors to access buying and selling transactions. The online media that are widely used by business actors include Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp and so on. However, the existence of several products in the form of imported food without a distribution permit sold online from business actors will certainly have a negative impact on consumers as buyers, especially the impact on health caused by food products. Although Law no. 8 of 1999 concerning Consumer Protection can be used as an umbrella to provide protection for consumers. However, considering that the regulation does not stipulate a supervisory mechanism for business actors who do not have a distribution permit, so that the legal protection that is implemented cannot run properly as determined, that's why there are still many business actors in trading imported food products that do not yet have a license. distribution permit which ultimately does not provide legal protection for consumers properly is the cause of the weak regulation on consumer protection.

Monitoring of Pesticide Residues in Imported Datepalm Fruits in United Arab Emirates

The occurrence of pesticide residues in representative samples collected from imported dates palm fruits during 2020 to United Arab Emirates (UAE) was investigated to ensure compliance with the standard specifications and requirements by the regulatory and supervisory authorities, maintain the health and safety of consumers and improve food safety. An accurate, rapid, and reliable method for the simultaneous determination of pesticide multi-residues in 230 samples imported dates by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC–ESI (+)-MS/MS) operating in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode and modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, safe (QuEChERS) method was used. The performance of the analytical method was validated in accordance with EU SANCO guidelines (SANTE/12682/2019) for monitoring pesticide multi-residues to check compliance with existing regulations, especially for European Community. Residues level of 343 compounds were determined in 230 samples. Results indicated that the percentage of samples with residues above the maximum residue levels (MRL) was 4.34% in dates samples, whereas samples with residues within MRL were 7.39% in dates samples. A total of 230 samples of 88.26% were free from detectable residues. Out of the 343 pesticides tested, 11 pesticides were found above the limit of detection, according to UAE, Codex, and European regulations. The main purpose of this work is to inform citizens and traders who have concerns about food safety on the capability of the MOCCAE on quality assurance regarding pesticide residue in imported food.

Diversity of Listeria monocytogenes Strains Isolated from Food Products in the Central European Part of Russia in 2000–2005 and 2019–2020

Totally, 45 L. monocytogenes strains isolated from meat, poultry, dairy, and fish products in the Central European part of Russia in 2001–2005 and 2019–2020 were typed using a combined MLST and internalin profile (IP) scheme. Strains belonged to 14 clonal complexes (CCs) of the phylogenetic lineages I and II. Almost half of the strains (20 of 45) belonged to six CCs previously recognized as epidemic clones (ECs). ECI and ECV strains were isolated during both studied periods, and ECII, ECIV, ECVI, and ECVII strains were isolated in 2001–2005, but not in 2019–2020. ECI, ECIV, ECV, and ECVII strains were isolated from products of animal origin. ECII and ECVI were isolated from fish. Testing of invasion efficiencies of 10 strains isolated in different years and from different sources and belonging to distinct CCs revealed a statistically significant difference between phylogenetic lineage I and II strains but not between ECs and non-EC CCs or strains differing by year and source of isolation. Strains isolated in 2001–2005 were characterized by higher phylogenetic diversity and greater presentation of ECs and CCs non-typical for natural and anthropogenic environments of the European part of Russia comparatively to isolates obtained in 2019–2020.Closing of the Russian market in 2019–2020 for imported food might be responsible for these differences.

Detection of Escherichia Coli O157:H7 in Imported Meat Products from Saudi Arabian Ports in 2017

Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a foodborne pathogen, which causes various health conditions in humans, including fatigue, nausea, and bloody diarrhoea, and in some cases, even death. In 2017, 15.71% of the total imported food products in Saudi Arabia were meat-based. India and Brazil are two of the top five countries from where Saudi Arabia imports meat. According to the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, in 2017, at least 562, 280, and 50 samples of imported beef, chicken, and sheep meat, respectively, were tested for the presence of E. coli O157:H7. Amongst these, E. coli O157:H7 was detected in respectively 6.5% and 2.2% of the tested beef meat samples imported from India and Brazil as well as in respectively 6.96% and 3.57% of the tested chicken samples imported from Brazil and Ukraine. Moreover, the pathogen was detected in 2.1% of the tested sheep meat samples imported from India. The present report provides evidence that imported meat can serve as the carrier of E. coli O157:H7, leading to epidemics, within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

ANALYSIS OF HALAL ASSURANCE MANAGEMENT ON IMPORTED FOOD PRODUCTS IN MALAYSIA

The entry of imported food products into Malaysia is on an increasing trend. However, the halal monitoring and enforcement system's weakness has given room to irresponsible entrepreneurs not conforming to the manual procedure for Malaysia's halal certification. This weakness gives rise to various malpractices, including the smuggling activities, forgery of international halal logo and certificate, and attempts of contaminating with nonhalal ingredients in the food processor. The management of the halal assurance system on imported food products in Malaysia is carried out by JAKIM and other government agencies such as the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumers Affairs (KPDNHEP), Ministry of Health (MOH), Food Safety Information System of Malaysia (FOSIM), Royal Malaysian Customs Department, Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services (MAQIS), Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) and Local Authority. The monitoring and enforcement are based on Manual Procedure for Malaysian Halal Certification (MPPHM), Malaysian Standard (MS), Trade Descriptions Act 2011 (TDA 2011), and other related directives. Therefore, despite many agencies contributing to this matter, an analysis of Halal Assurance Management on Imported Food Products in Malaysia is crucially needed to manage halal monitoring and enforcement. This study may contribute to halal management in Malaysia to develop a systematic halal assurance management system, particularly for imported food products. This study can provide a guideline for imported food product entrepreneurs in conforming to the act, regulations, procedure, and standard specified by the authorities. The implication of this study also benefits the consumers. They will become more confident in the halal status of imported food products and entrust the Malaysian management of halal assurance in the monitoring and enforcement system.

EU Inspections of GM Content in Food and Feed: Are They Effective?

We investigate the effectiveness of inspecting regimes in controlling food and feed products containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs) non-compliant with European Commission (EC) regulations (i.e., a food/feed import containing above the 0.9% GM content threshold for food and at or above 0.1% for feed allowed by the EC regulations but not (or incorrectly) labelled or food/feed imports containing unauthorized GMOs). We collate information at the country level from EC official reports on the number of samples and cases of non-compliance identified by official controls conducted by European Member States (MS). We analyze the probability of finding non-compliant food/feed imports for a number of MS countries between 2000 and 2013, by using a hierarchical model, which interlinks the number of samples taken (i.e., inspections) with interceptions of non-compliant products. Results show that the probability of finding imported products non-compliant with EC’s GMO regulations in food and feed varies among MS countries but, in most cases, is relatively high. For instance, for imported food products in 2004, the probability of the rate of intercepting non-compliant food products being above 5% and 10% in France was 99% and 70%, respectively. However, whereas countries such as Sweden, Portugal, and Austria also show a high rate of intercepting non-compliant food, other countries such as Germany and Spain show a very low probability of finding imported food products being non-compliant. For imported feed products, the overall probability of rate of intercepting non-compliant feed products being above 5% and 10% per country and year was even higher than for imported food products (e.g., 100% in the case of Hungary in 2005). The European Union regulation needs to guide MS adequately in order to establish the optimal level of inspections, guaranteeing consumers’ freedom of choice.