IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jchals/v16y2024i1p4-d1558098.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Learning from Tradition: Consumer Attitudes and Perceptions of Leaf and Plastic Food Wrapping and Packaging in Kumba, Southwest Cameroon

Author

Listed:
  • Aristide Guillaume Silapeux Kamda

    (Department of Social Economy and Family Management, University of Buea, Buea P.O. Box 249, Cameroon)

  • Pricillia Anjeh

    (Department of Social Economy and Family Management, University of Buea, Buea P.O. Box 249, Cameroon)

  • Gillian Asoba

    (Department of Social Economy and Family Management, University of Buea, Buea P.O. Box 249, Cameroon)

  • Solange Nwobonche Chiakeh

    (Department of Social Economy and Family Management, University of Buea, Buea P.O. Box 249, Cameroon)

  • Elizabeth Nebale

    (Department of Social Economy and Family Management, University of Buea, Buea P.O. Box 249, Cameroon)

  • Francesca Baldi

    (Department of Food Safety, Nutrition, and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy)

  • Samuel Metugue

    (Department of Social Economy and Family Management, University of Buea, Buea P.O. Box 249, Cameroon)

  • Fidelis Ebong

    (Department of Social Economy and Family Management, University of Buea, Buea P.O. Box 249, Cameroon)

  • Chiara Frazzoli

    (Department of Cardiovascular, Dysmetabolic Diseases, and Aging, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

Food contact materials release bioactive molecules that are potentially detrimental to health. Despite the relevance of this daily and repeated exposure, little attention is paid to single-use materials in contact with food. In Cameroon, despite the local tradition of using biodegradable and compostable leafy plants and the government’s decision to ban the use and marketing of plastics, they are still massively used in contact with food. The aim of this study was to explore the dynamics of the ongoing trend in the use of plastics for food handling. A cross-sectional study was conducted in March 2023 to investigate consumers’ perceptions of the benefits and drawbacks of plastics and traditional leaves as food contact materials. Two hundred consumers were interviewed at eight restaurants in Kumba municipalities through a structured questionnaire. The result of this study revealed that consumers considered that plant-based materials do not affect human health; they know that leaves, compared to plastics, are easier to dispose of and that plastic is an environmental hazard. Age and education turned out to significantly affect all the answers, while income did not. The current study highlights the need to provide clear and updated information on the long-term danger posed to health and the environment by plastics used to cook, store, protect, and transport food. Despite the numerous advantages and benefits of traditional leaves as food contact material, their traditional use by the population has been lost. Consumers in Cameroon are at a critical juncture in choosing biodegradable and compostable food contact materials. This transition can be accelerated if governments invest in actions and measures to curb and potentially reverse the widespread adoption of plastics as a symbol of modernity. Scientific and technological research should engage in the innovation of traditional plant-based materials. This local example is also intended to provide impetus for more global investment in traditional plant-based materials for food packaging to support sustainability and the planetary health agenda.

Suggested Citation

  • Aristide Guillaume Silapeux Kamda & Pricillia Anjeh & Gillian Asoba & Solange Nwobonche Chiakeh & Elizabeth Nebale & Francesca Baldi & Samuel Metugue & Fidelis Ebong & Chiara Frazzoli, 2024. "Learning from Tradition: Consumer Attitudes and Perceptions of Leaf and Plastic Food Wrapping and Packaging in Kumba, Southwest Cameroon," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-17, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jchals:v:16:y:2024:i:1:p:4-:d:1558098
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2078-1547/16/1/4/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2078-1547/16/1/4/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Igor Popovic & Bart A. G. Bossink & Peter C. van der Sijde, 2019. "Factors Influencing Consumers’ Decision to Purchase Food in Environmentally Friendly Packaging: What Do We Know and Where Do We Go from Here?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(24), pages 1-22, December.
    2. Sarah Brown & Jolian McHardy & Robert McNabb & Karl Taylor, 2011. "Workplace Performance, Worker Commitment, and Loyalty," Journal of Economics & Management Strategy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 20(3), pages 925-955, September.
    3. Martinho, Graça & Pires, Ana & Portela, Gonçalo & Fonseca, Miguel, 2015. "Factors affecting consumers’ choices concerning sustainable packaging during product purchase and recycling," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 58-68.
    4. Magdi Du Preez & Daleen Van der Merwe & Louise Wyma & Susanna Maria Ellis, 2021. "Assessing Knowledge and Use Practices of Plastic Food Packaging among Young Adults in South Africa: Concerns about Chemicals and Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-19, October.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Korey Fennell & Jack Fehlberg & Sukhdeep Singh & Laurent M. Matuana & Sungeun Cho & Eva Almenar, 2024. "Consumers’ Behavior toward Packaging Containing Agricultural Waste as a Plastic Filler for Food: An Exploratory Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-22, January.
    2. Mahmoud Abdulai Mahmoud & Ernest Kafui Kwasi Tsetse & Ernest Edem Tulasi & Donne Komla Muddey, 2022. "Green Packaging, Environmental Awareness, Willingness to Pay and Consumers’ Purchase Decisions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-14, December.
    3. Sitadhira Prima Citta & Takuro Uehara & Mateo Cordier & Takahiro Tsuge & Misuzu Asari, 2024. "Promoting menstrual cups as a sustainable alternative: a comparative study using a labeled discrete choice experiment," Post-Print hal-04625228, HAL.
    4. Kautish, Pradeep & Paço, Arminda & Thaichon, Park, 2022. "Sustainable consumption and plastic packaging: Relationships among product involvement, perceived marketplace influence and choice behavior," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    5. Zezhong Zhao & Yajuan Li & Zhiyang Du, 2022. "Seafood Waste-Based Materials for Sustainable Food Packing: From Waste to Wealth," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-14, December.
    6. Festré, Agnès, 2018. "Do people stand by their commitments? Evidence from a classroom experiment," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 1-6.
    7. Dangchen Sui & Jiaxin He & Ke Liu & Xinyan Lv, 2024. "Investigating the Impact of the Theory of Planned Behavior and Food Literacy on Green Food Purchasing Intentions Among Chinese Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Generation Y," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-26, November.
    8. Ziyuan Tian & Xixiang Sun & Jianguo Wang & Weihuan Su & Gen Li, 2022. "Factors Affecting Green Purchase Intention: A Perspective of Ethical Decision Making," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-16, September.
    9. Saddam A. Hazaea & Ebrahim Mohammed Al-Matari & Khaled Zedan & Saleh F. A. Khatib & Jinyu Zhu & Hamzeh Al Amosh, 2022. "Green Purchasing: Past, Present and Future," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-28, April.
    10. Sharifah Rahama Amirul & Khairul Hanim Pazim & Sharifah Milda Amirul & Rasid Mail & Jakaria Dasan, 2022. "Developing and validating the qualitative labour productivity measurement in service industry," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 56(4), pages 2853-2874, August.
    11. M. Lahandi Baskoro & Benny Tjahjono & Macarena Beltran & Anna Bogush & Yichuan Wang, 2024. "The imperative of communication signals in boosting business strategies of the bioplastic packaging industry," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(2), pages 307-334, February.
    12. Sisi Wu & Xuan Gong & Yunfei Wang & Jian Cao, 2022. "Consumer Cognition and Management Perspective on Express Packaging Pollution," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-23, April.
    13. Brown, Sarah & Gray, Daniel & McHardy, Jolian & Taylor, Karl, 2015. "Employee trust and workplace performance," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 361-378.
    14. Cherry C. I. Lau & Christina W. Y. Wong, 2024. "Achieving sustainable development with sustainable packaging: A natural‐resource‐based view perspective," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(5), pages 4766-4787, July.
    15. Adam Seth Litwin & Sherry M. Tanious, 2021. "Information Technology, Business Strategy and the Reassignment of Work from In‐House Employees to Agency Temps," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 59(3), pages 816-847, September.
    16. Hiller, Victor & Verdier, Thierry, 2014. "Corporate culture and identity investment in an industry equilibrium," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 93-112.
    17. Dr. Tonyikere Bolou-Sobai & Dr. Emmanuel Woko Boma & Lilian Diseye Wowo, 2024. "Employee Welfare and Job Commitment among Non-Academic Senior Staff of Tertiary Institutions in Bayelsa State, Nigeria," International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation, International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI), vol. 10(12), pages 462-473, January.
    18. Ha, Min-Ho & Yang, Zaili & Lam, Jasmine Siu Lee, 2019. "Port performance in container transport logistics: A multi-stakeholder perspective," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 25-40.
    19. Muhammad Ishfaq Khan & Shahbaz Khalid & Umer Zaman & Ana Ercília José & Paulo Ferreira, 2021. "Green Paradox in Emerging Tourism Supply Chains: Achieving Green Consumption Behavior through Strategic Green Marketing Orientation, Brand Social Responsibility, and Green Image," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-24, September.
    20. McCarthy, Breda, 2024. "Moral licensing and habits: Do solar households make negligent choices?," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jchals:v:16:y:2024:i:1:p:4-:d:1558098. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.