Perception of Food Labeling and Purchase of Food: The Moderating Effect of Food Risk Perception

This study examined the influence of perceptions of food risk and food labeling on the purchase of labeled food items and the intention to pay higher prices for safe food. Data were obtained from the Korea Rural Economic Institute's Consumer Behavior Survey for Food 2020. The analysis focused on the responses of 6,355 consumers, all of whom were mainly responsible for food purchases. The analysis investigated the moderating effect of food risk perception on the relationship between food labeling perception and the purchase of labeled food. Regarding the purchase of labeled food, statistically significant effects were noted for gender, educational level, perception of food labeling, and perception of food risk; however, the interaction effect of perceptions of food labeling and food risk was not statistically significant. With regard to the intention to pay higher prices for safe food, except for age, statistically significant effects were observed for gender, educational level, food expenditure, perception of food labeling, and perception of food risk; moreover, the interaction effect of perceptions of food labeling and food risk was significant. The results indicate that consumers reporting low food labeling perception and low purchase of labeled food were most vulnerable regarding food safety; therefore, it is necessary to provide such consumers with food label provision methods and specified education programs.