CONSUMER FOOD SAFETY CONCERNS AND FRESH PRODUCE CONSUMPTION

The linear approximation of an almost ideal demand system model was used to measure the impacts of prices, expenditures, and consumer food safety concerns on the consumption of 14 major fresh produce categories in the United States for the period 1970-92. The changes in fresh produce consumption due to food safety concerns was calculated. The results indicate that risk information has not had a significant impact on the consumption of most of the fresh produce items studied.