Consumer perception and behavior - Strategies for pesticide risk reduction in vegetables: A case study in hai duong province, northern Vietnam

In recent years, food risk, particularly vegetable poisoning has been a horror to many people in Vietnam due to the toxic pesticide residues in final products. Thus, food safety has become a major issue of public concern. Based on quantitative and qualitative data gathered from 60 consumers in four districts in Hai Duong province, Northern Vietnam, this paper makes analyses of: (i) pesticide risk suffered by vegetable consumers; (ii) consumer point of view regarding pesticide risk; and (iii) how consumers’ pesticide risk reduction strategies related to vegetable consumption. The relevance of strategies adopted by consumers to reduce risk exposure and the influence on the likelihood of vegetable consumption including purchasing, preparing and eating are explored. Policy recommendations on consumer training, consumer protecting and pesticide managing are also drawn Based on the findings, the study drawn some policy implications on consumer training, consumer protecting and pesticide managing.