Assessing Dietary Exposure to Pesticides: Insights from Greek Potato Consumers

The study investigates Greek consumers' beliefs and their assessment of the risks associated with consuming potatoes contaminated with pesticide residues, aiming to understand the relationship between perceived risk and actual dietary exposure. A survey of 1,318 participants was conducted, employing latent profile analysis to identify two distinct consumer profiles: Concerned Consumers, who prioritize certified products and exhibit lower potato consumption, and Confident Consumers, who demonstrate higher consumption levels and lower risk perception. Data from the consumer survey and the two-category grouping were benchmarked against data from the Greek report from the monitoring of pesticide residues in food to estimate exposure against established toxicological reference values. The results indicate that pesticide residues in Greek potatoes remain significantly below established toxicological reference values, with mean exposures well within safety limits for both consumer groups. Despite the higher consumption among Confident Consumers, their exposure levels are still negligible. The findings highlight a disconnect between consumer perceptions of pesticide risk and actual exposure, suggesting that current agricultural practices are effective in safeguarding public health. This study underscores the importance of evidence-based risk communication to bridge the gap between consumer concerns and scientific reality, reinforcing the role of potatoes as a safe and essential food source.