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The Impact of Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic on Food Purchasing, Eating Behavior, and Perception of Food Safety in Kuwait

Author

Listed:
  • Dana AlTarrah

    (Faculty of Public Health, Kuwait University, Kuwait City 12037, Kuwait)

  • Entisar AlShami

    (Public Authority for Food and Nutrition, Kuwait City 207, Kuwait)

  • Nawal AlHamad

    (Public Authority for Food and Nutrition, Kuwait City 207, Kuwait)

  • Fatemah AlBesher

    (Public Authority for Food and Nutrition, Kuwait City 207, Kuwait)

  • Sriraman Devarajan

    (Dasman Diabetes Institute, Kuwait City 15462, Kuwait)

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the government in Kuwait implemented public health measures to control the spread of the virus. However, despite the importance of these restrictions, normal activities related to purchasing of groceries, concerns related to food safety, and overall uncertainty may have influenced food behaviors and food consumption. Hence, the study investigates the impact of COVID-19 on food purchasing behaviors, eating behaviors, and the perception of food safety and security among residents in Kuwait. A cross-sectional study was carried out using self-administered questionnaires between 28 July 2020 and 31 August 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kuwait. A total of 841 respondents participated in the study. The study identified several changes in food purchasing behaviors, eating behaviors, food consumption, and consumers perceptions on food safety during the pandemic. The closures, restrictions, and changes in food purchasing evidently influenced individual’s eating behaviors. Largely, participants were found to (i) change their food purchasing behavior (74%); (ii) opt for online food delivery services (42.8%); (iii) purchase long-shelf-life foods (e.g., canned food and dry staples) (76%); (iv) consume more meals at home (76%); and (v) follow public health measures to reduce the spread of the virus and ensure their safety (98%). This study indicates that individuals during times of uncertainty and stress change their food purchasing behaviors, food consumption habits, and follow guidelines and recommendations. These findings may help public health initiatives to focus on raising awareness about the importance of health, wellbeing, and nutrition during times of crises.

Suggested Citation

  • Dana AlTarrah & Entisar AlShami & Nawal AlHamad & Fatemah AlBesher & Sriraman Devarajan, 2021. "The Impact of Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic on Food Purchasing, Eating Behavior, and Perception of Food Safety in Kuwait," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-15, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:16:p:8987-:d:612561
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    3. Tao Lian & Shamsheer ul Haq & Pomi Shahbaz & Lei Zhao & Muhammad Nadeem & Babar Aziz, 2022. "Changing Food Patterns during the Pandemic: Exploring the Role of Household Dynamics and Income Stabilization Strategies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-20, December.
    4. María Núñez-Fernández & Héctor Hugo Pérez-Villarreal & Yesica Mayett-Moreno, 2021. "Comparing Models with Positive Anticipated Emotions, Food Values, Attitudes and Subjective Norms as Influential Factors in Fast-Food Purchase Intention during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Two Channels: Re," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-16, November.
    5. Huashu Wang & Zhenyi Li & H. Holly Wang, 2022. "Does Backward Integration Improve Food Safety of the Tea Industry in China in the Post-COVID-19 Era?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-15, February.
    6. Yu-Ping Wei, 2021. "The Effect of Food Safety-Related Attributes on Customer Satisfaction of Ready-to-Eat Foods at Hypermarkets," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-11, September.

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