A Study on Consumer Awareness on Food Adulteration

Abstract

This study investigates consumer awareness of food adulteration, focusing on packaging and labelling, buying behaviour, and consumer rights. UNSD Goal 3 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) focuses on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for individuals of all ages. It concentrates on significant health problems such reproductive, maternal, kids, and youth health, in addition to communicable and non-communicable diseases. The goal emphasizes the importance of universal health coverage, access to safe and affordable medicines and vaccines, and the prevention of needless suffering and premature death from preventable diseases. Priority areas include regions with high disease burdens and marginalized populations, calling for increased investments in research, health financing, and risk reduction strategies. In this context, the present study has focused on the concept of consumer awareness regarding food adulteration. Food adulteration in the long run could be a major threat to health and well-being. Though government has strict rules and regulations for food safety, adulteration in foods is rampant. In order to curb this, consumer awareness regarding the same has to be enhanced. The present study has thus tried to understand the influence of packaging, buying patterns and consumer rights on consumer awareness regarding food adulteration. The study has a descriptive research design. The results indicate packaging and labelling and buying behaviour as the most influential factors in predicting consumer awareness. Clear, informative packaging enhances trust and informed buying decisions. The study recommends prioritizing transparent packaging and consumer education on rights to improve food safety and transparency.