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Association of Internet Use with Attitudes Toward Food Safety in China: A Cross-Sectional Study

Author

Listed:
  • Jiaping Zhang

    (School of Economics and Management, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
    School of Management and Labor Relations, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08854, USA
    These authors are co-first authors to this work.)

  • Zhiyong Cai

    (Commission of Student Affairs, Nanjing Audit University, Nanjing 211815, China
    These authors are co-first authors to this work.)

  • Mingwang Cheng

    (School of Economics and Management, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China)

  • Huirong Zhang

    (School of Management and Labor Relations, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08854, USA
    School of Labor Relationship, Shandong Management University, Jinan 250357, China)

  • Heng Zhang

    (School of Economics and Management, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China)

  • Zhongkun Zhu

    (College of Economics & Management, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China)

Abstract

A growing body of research has shown that people’s attitudes toward food safety is affected by their availability and accessibility to food risk information. In the digital era, the Internet has become the most important channel for information acquisition. However, empirical evidence related to the impact of Internet use on people’s attitudes towards food safety is inadequate. In this study, by employing the Chinese Social Survey for 2013 and 2015, we have investigated the current situation of food safety perceptions and evaluations among Chinese residents and the association between Internet use and individuals’ food safety evaluations. Empirical results indicate that there is a significant negative correlation between Internet use and people’s food safety evaluation in China. Furthermore, heterogeneity analysis shows that Internet use has a stronger negative correlation with food safety evaluation for those lacking rational judgment regarding Internet information. Specifically, the negative correlation between Internet use and food safety evaluations is more obvious among rural residents, young people, and less educated residents. Finally, propensity score matching (PSM) is applied to conduct a robustness check. This paper provides new evidence for studies on the relationship between Internet use and an individuals’ food safety cognition, as well as additional policy enlightenment for food safety risk management in the digital age.

Suggested Citation

  • Jiaping Zhang & Zhiyong Cai & Mingwang Cheng & Huirong Zhang & Heng Zhang & Zhongkun Zhu, 2019. "Association of Internet Use with Attitudes Toward Food Safety in China: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-19, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:21:p:4162-:d:281191
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    References listed on IDEAS

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