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Fish: Friend or foe? Food policy and subpopulation warnings for consumers

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  • Hughner, Rene Shaw
  • Maher, Jill Kurp
  • Childs, Nancy M.
  • Nganje, William E.

Abstract

Fish is a healthy food that provides valuable nutrients for heart health and cognitive development. However, for some subpopulations, consuming fish containing higher levels of methylmercury may pose a health risk. This research seeks to identify the impact of including a seafood warning disclosure in the advertisement of a can of tuna fish on consumers' purchasing behaviors. An experimental survey is employed to examine the resulting impact for two segments of the population - those considered at risk for methylmercury overexposure and all others. Findings indicate the use of warning disclosures increases respondents' negative product perceptions without significantly altering positive product perceptions. Attention to the warning is short-lived and does not significantly impact perceived healthful levels of consumption. Modeling purchase behavior using a random utility choice framework indicates that the inclusion of a warning in an advertisement of a can of tuna fish has no adverse affect on purchase behaviors for the population not at-risk and may, in certain cases, serve to decrease tuna purchase likelihood for "at-risk" respondents. Communicating advisory statements on healthy products, such as fish, creates a public health challenge; message pre-testing is imperative.

Suggested Citation

  • Hughner, Rene Shaw & Maher, Jill Kurp & Childs, Nancy M. & Nganje, William E., 2009. "Fish: Friend or foe? Food policy and subpopulation warnings for consumers," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 34(2), pages 185-197, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:jfpoli:v:34:y:2009:i:2:p:185-197
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. K. K. Lancaster, 2010. "A New Approach to Consumer Theory," Levine's Working Paper Archive 1385, David K. Levine.
    2. Kelvin J. Lancaster, 1966. "A New Approach to Consumer Theory," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 74(2), pages 132-132.
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    1. Bostic, Stephanie M. & Sobal, Jeffery & Bisogni, Carole A., 2018. "Social representations of fish and seafood among midlife rural adults: Benefits, risks, and involvement," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 99-108.
    2. Uberta Ganucci Cancellieri & Giulia Amicone & Lavinia Cicero & Alessandro Milani & Oriana Mosca & Marialetizia Palomba & Simonetta Mattiucci & Marino Bonaiuto, 2023. "Can Food Safety Practices and Knowledge of Raw Fish Promote Perception of Infection Risk and Safe Consumption Behavior Intentions Related to the Zoonotic Parasite Anisakis ?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-16, April.

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