Food safety risks revisited: how firm size shapes occurrence probability and hazards—Evidence from a multitude of Chinese food sampling inspection data

Food safety is crucial to both national development and public well-being. Amid the increasingly complex food safety landscape, regulating firms' production practices is essential for effectively addressing related risks. The relationship between firm size (FS) and food safety risks (FSRs) has garnered substantial academic attention, yet consensus remains elusive. This study advances the literature by analyzing 2021–2023 food safety supervision and sampling data from 30 provinces (including autonomous regions and municipalities) in China. It empirically examines the relationship between FS and FSRs from two dimensions: the probability of food safety risk occurrence (PFSRO) and the severity of food safety hazards (SFSHs). The results reveal a significant negative association between FS and the PFSRO, but no significant relationship between FS and the SFSHs. These findings are robust across multiple tests. Overall, the results suggest that while larger FS reduces the PFSRO, it does not lessen the severity of the outcomes when such risks occur. The findings provide important insights for optimizing consumer behavior and informing regulatory policy to better prevent and mitigate FSRs.