Risk assessment: environmental, chemical, and production-related factors
In this study, participants expressed significant concerns about food safety within the food production chain, including aspects such as the food cultivation environment and food processing procedures. The prevalence of food insecurity compelled participants to frequently forgo their quest of food safety standards and settle for consuming unsafe food. One participant vividly expressed concern, stating that “everyday food we purchase and consume is slowly poisoning them”. Overall, participants believed that the presence of unsafe food in mainland China was largely the result of environmental and chemical-related factors.
Environmental-related factors
Participants shared the belief that the primary origins of food safety issues in China stem from factors present during agricultural practices, such as soil and water pollution. They viewed food safety challenges as a direct outcome of broader environmental issues, attributing these problems to China’s prolonged prioritization of rapid economic growth at the expense of environmental preservation. The participants expressed skepticism regarding the feasibility of short-term solutions to address this environmental degradation. Consequently, they held a gloomy expectation, foreseeing ongoing and persistent food safety challenges in China. Moreover, they voiced concerns about the lasting burden of these issues on their health and the well-being of future generations.
“Soil pollution in China is a significant and widespread issue. People often talk about a choice between being poisoned or going hungry. When it comes to heavy metal contamination in the soil, it’s a problem that will persist for decades or even centuries and is difficult to resolve. Water pollution is another concerning matter. Fish often die in large numbers because of water pollution. I’ve even become cautious about drinking tap water.” (Dong, a woman in her 50s whose son was studying aboard).
“Everything needs sunlight, air, and water to thrive. When these essential sources of life become contaminated, it directly affects our food supply. At this point, we’re left with limited choices: either continue using the contaminated resources or refrain from using them altogether.” (Tao, a man in his early 40s).
In regions affected by water, soil, and/or air pollution, people expressed concerns about the safety of locally sourced produces and their implications for their health. Within this context, individuals found themselves obliged to engage in a delicate equilibrium between the accessibility of sustenance and the imperatives of survival. The overall uncertainty and limited options make people uneasy when choosing and consuming food. What makes people even more anxious is that the victims of food safety problems caused by environmental pollution include not only themselves but also their next generation. These challenges highlight the intricate interplay between environmental quality and food security, underscoring the necessity for comprehensive risk assessment and management strategies.
Chemical-related factors
In addition to the abve-mentioned environmental concerns, participants also believed that chemical substances had been heavily overused during agriculture practices and food production. For example, they asserted that farmers were excessively utilizing pesticides, fertilizers, and antibiotics in their agricultural practices, including growing crops and raising animals like chickens, cows, and pigs. As they said, farmers were no longer constrained by the necessity to employ these chemicals solely for yield preservation; rather, they were intentionally overusing these substances to boost productivity and maximize their profits. The presence of chemical residues in food products is perceived as extremely detrimental to human health. Participants attributed the increase in disease incidence in recent years to the root cause of food insecurity.
“In China, you know, they use a lot of pesticides on crops. But the thing is, you can’t just wash them off with water. I heard something crazy, like there could be up to 13 different pesticides on strawberries, which is kinda gross. And when it comes to fish and shrimp farming, people in this industry even use antibiotics and birth control pills to make them reproduce and grow faster.”(Ting, a married woman in her early 30s).
“It’s become pretty clear to me that some of the stuff we get from outside sources might not be that safe because of all the pesticides people in the food industry are using. I read about this issue in the newspapers, and it’s not just pesticides – they’re using antibiotics in chicken farming and growing veggies, too.” (Xia, a woman in her 50s, lives with her husband in one city, while their daughter works and resides in another city).
Besides, when the topic of food safety arises, a new term frequently entered the conversation – “advanced technology and ruthless practices” (“科技与狠活” in Chinese). This term refers to the use of artificial additives or entirely synthetic food that disguises itself as natural food. For example, this includes milk tea without any real milk, minced meat transformed into steak, or gels made from sodium alginate and calcium lactate falsely labeled as bird’s nest. They asserted that the proliferation of food additives was increasingly prevalent in China, particularly within the casual food sector such as street vendors, local eateries, small-scale retail establishments, and roadside stalls. They expressed the belief that rejecting food items containing food additives is crucial for ensuring both personal health and food safety.
“See, there are loads of folks on Douyin selling stuff like sea cucumbers, cordyceps, and bird’s nests, all at really tempting prices. But here’s the thing, if you’ve ever tried the real deal, you can spot the fakes right away when you get them. These fakes fall into the category of ‘advanced technology and ruthless practices.’ So, it’s best to steer clear of these and not risk any health problems they might cause.” (Ying, a woman in her 50s).
“Just the other day, I decided to grab some take-out malatang from this street vendor for lunch. It was ridiculously spicy, and my stomach wasn’t happy about it for the rest of that day. This kind of spiciness, I’d call it “industrial-strength spicy.” And you know what? The slices of lamb and beef in there felt like they came from the high-tech, no-holds-barred food production process. It got me thinking that maybe some food producers these days are going a bit too far with additives and not playing by the ethical rules.” (Rui, a single woman in her early 30s).
Participants commonly held the belief that food items with such additives were detrimental to health, leading to cognitive aversion towards the consumption or re-consumption of such food products. However, people in this study often doesn’t distinguish between the proper and excessive use of food additives, leading to a one-dimensional view of them. In other words, they believed that food with chemical substances is unhealthy, regardless of the amount or whether their use is necessary.
Overall, participants emphasized that safety concerns were present at every stage of the food production and distribution process, from initial agricultural practices to final sale and consumption. Whether attributing food safety issues to environmental factors or food processing, the participants firmly held the view that human actions were the main cause of food safety issues. They associated China’s current food safety challenges with human activities. These human-centric factors, such as individuals in the industry having low levels of education and lacking proper training, along with profit-driven business practices, were perceived as the primary contributors to environmental problems, the use of food additives, and subsequently, food safety issues. Their expressions of negative emotions, such as dissatisfaction and anxiety about the current state of food safety in China, were both clear and strong. However, when discussing the impact of environmental pollution on food safety, they expressed a sense of helplessness and acceptance, viewing it as a long-term, unsolvable issue. They have resigned themselves to living with the food safety crisis caused by environmental pollution. Compared to the issue of chemical additives, they believe that addressing the food safety crisis caused by environmental pollution is less urgent.
Risk communication
Inadequate information from media sources
Participants in the study were concerned about food safety risks, and they relied on mass media to find relevant information and protect themselves. They believed that timely coverage of food safety issues by the news media plays a crucial role in helping the general public minimize and avoid food safety risks. The availability of sufficient information was regarded as a fundamental assurance for safeguarding the food safety of citizens. In particular, participants expressed a strong desire for reputable media outlets to provide up-to-date information regarding “current food safety concerns and occurrences,” as well as and clear explanations of “the origins of the food safety hazard and ongoing investigative efforts.” They also stressed the need to share information about the “sellers involved” and explain the possible health risks. Participants also voiced the necessity for unambiguous and succinct language in “safety recommendations,” including guidance on product avoidance and proper food handling and preparation techniques.
However, they expressed dissatisfaction with the official news media’s inadequate coverage, which left them feeling uncertain due to the lack of thorough reporting. They emphasized that the media primarily focused on reporting examples of how food safety was ensured, frequently overlooking or delaying coverage of issues related to food insecurity. As a result, they felt that the information shortage due to insufficient media coverage made it harder for them to be aware of potential food safety risks. In their criticism, participants used negative terms like “misleading,” “purposeful hiding,” and “deception” to characterize the media’s handling of food safety news.
“In my opinion, the news media tends to only cover food safety issues that have already been resolved, and they seem to hide the ones that remain unsolved. It’s quite disappointing that despite many people in China, including myself, relying on newspapers and online news for information, we can’t find much about the current food safety risks. I genuinely wish our news media would provide us with more clear and accurate information regarding ongoing food safety concerns, as that would certainly make me feel much safer.” (Peng, a married man in his early 30s with no kid).
“I have a feeling that, based on the information reported in the media, there are no food safety issues around us at all. However, that’s clearly not accurate. Instead of just knowing which foods are safe from the media, I’d prefer to be informed about which foods are unsafe. The media should provide us with the truth.” (Rui, a single woman in her early 30s).
Our results showed that biased reporting and missing important information weakened public trust in mainstream news. The media’s role in food safety was seen as more than just providing information; it should also actively engage in health education, policy monitoring, and crisis management, acting as a bridge between the public and the government. However, widespread disappointment with the media’s performance has led many individuals, frustrated with mainstream outlets, to increasingly turn to social media for food safety information.
Public exaggeration and imagination of food safety information
Along with the food insecurity crisis, the social panic caused by potential food insecurity needs urgent attention. The dearth of information regarding food insecurity further intensified participants’ sense of panic when confronted with a food safety crisis. When people lacked sufficient information about food safety risks, they turned to social media as a substitute to gather information on these risks. They also often resorted to imagining or exaggerating potential dangers based on the information collected. This inclination led to the spread of rumors, causing unwarranted panic and distrust in the food supply chain.
“When I read news online these days, it gives me a sense that I can’t find any safe food in the market. Every time I eat dumplings bought from outside, I always wonder if the meat inside is real. When I have lamb skewers, I can’t help but think if it’s truly lamb meat. This feeling is really distressing. I wish there were both safe and unsafe food available on the market, even if the safe options were priced very high that I couldn’t afford them. At least, I would know which foods are safe and make my choices more clearly.” (Ying, a woman in her 50s).
“My mom told me that the bubbles in the bubble tea I usually drink are made from old leather shoes, and the lamb skewers I enjoy are actually made from rat meat. She even believes that the food we order as takeout is all made through some “advanced technology and ruthless practices”. No matter how much I try to refute her claims, she remains firm in her beliefs because she sees and hears about these things every day on the internet and from her friends.” (Yi, a woman in her early 20s).
“A lot of food safety information cannot be verified through news media. Every time I open my phone, I’m bombarded with various reports about unsafe food from different social media platforms. There are tons of information telling me that consuming unsafe food can make people sick, and some even claim it could lead to cancers. These information make me feel like food consumption is equivalent to chronic suicide. However, I can’t completely ignore these distressing information either.” (Wu, a man in his early 60s).
The consequences of these rumors can extend beyond mere misinformation. In some cases, they may lead individuals to adopt extreme precautionary measures, such as permanently discontinuing the purchase of contaminated products, which may have adverse effects on their nutrition and well-being. Such extreme behaviors may also impact the livelihoods of food producers and suppliers, causing chaos throughout the food supply chain and bringing negative impacts to the relationships among the general public, food producers, government, and public health authorities.
Risk management
Given China’s large population, the participants underscored the significance of food scarcity as a prominent societal concern, demanding continuous vigilance and preventive measures. They pointed out that feeding such a large population has led to heavy use of fertilizers and pesticides in farming, often resulting in their overuse. However, this practice is necessary to maintain a stable food supply.
“I can understand why people in the food industry resort to using chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Without them, we could potentially face more serious issues than food safety concerns. If they refrain from using chemical fertilizers and pesticides to control pests, we could be at risk of facing severe food shortages that could even lead to fatalities.” (Ting, a married woman in her early 30s with no kids).
“You know, China isn’t the only place dealing with food safety risks. Lots of other countries have similar challenges. But what makes China different is its huge size and having the world’s largest population. With so many people, there’s a lot of pressure on the food supply chain. That’s why food-related problems in China can be more serious compared to other countries.” (Peng, a married man in his early 30s with no kids).
Balancing the need to provide enough food and nutrients for everyone while ensuring food security is a big challenge for contemporary China. Even though the participants understood the difficulties in avoiding food safety risks, they strongly urged the government and health agencies to take action for the sake of the public’s health and the long-term development of China. They were happy to see the progress in food safety laws and believed it could help reduce the presence of unsafe foods on the market. However, they also knew that addressing food safety issues in China would require sustained dedication and commitment.
“Enhancing food safety in China could potentially bring negative impacts on China’s economic growth. It is not a task that can be achieved overnight. It requires a gradual and well-thought-out approach over time” (Dong, a woman in her 50s whose son was studying aboard).
“I’m really happy that we’ve got this new food safety law in action. It shows that the government is serious about tackling this issue. But you know what’s important? Making sure this law covers those unlicensed street vendors too. To really make a dent in China’s food safety issues, we’ve got to make sure the law is enforced properly.” (Yuan, a man in his early 70s).
To combat food insecurity and reduce their risk of consuming unsafe foods, participants used different strategies. Their social status, marital status (married or unmarried), and childbearing status (childless, with minor children, or with adult children) significantly influenced their self-protective behaviors during food safety crises. We found that participants with children showed stronger self-protective behaviors compared to those who were unmarried or married without children.
Participants who were unmarried or married without children recognized that food safety issues affect both individuals and families, and they understood that completely avoiding these risks is difficult. They adopted an approach of coexistence with these risks. In response to distress and anxiety surrounding potential food risks, they used a strategy of information avoidance as a means of coping. Apart from actively seeking safer food sources, they prioritized the desire of appetite satisfaction and emotional well-being. They showed less interest in engaging with recent food safety news and did not prioritize food quality as long as the food was enjoyable to them.
“I hardly ever read food safety news, but that doesn’t mean I don’t care about food safety. I simply don’t think many people regularly keep up with food safety news.Even if we stay updated on the latest food safety issues, what actual changes can we bring about? None. It only leads to negative emotions for ourselves.” (Ting, a single woman in her early 30s).
“You know, if the food tastes great, why not dig in, right? My wife and I love cooking at home, but we also like going out to eat at restaurants quite a bit. I’ll be honest, I usually don’t pay that much attention to food safety issues in China. It’s not my main concern. Life is too short, and I’d rather enjoy all the amazing flavors, even if it means sacrificing a bit on the health front.” (Peng, a married man in his early 30s).
Participants with children residing at home and those whose grown-up children were not living with them exhibited different attitudes toward food safety issue. They showed crucial concerns regarding food safety and devoted time to collect information, aiming to identify safer food resources and mitigate food safety risks.
“This issue hits close to home for me because I’ve got a kid. Making sure our food is safe is absolutely important. We make sure to wash our veggies super carefully to get rid of any chemicals, and we stick to trusted butcher shops for meat consumption. We even get eggs from my aunt’s chickens, which feels pretty safe. And when it comes to baby formula, we prefer going for a German brand instead of local brands. It seems like many people around us do the same to ensure food safety for our children. Our child’s well-being is our top priority, and we’re dead set on avoiding anything that might be a risky choice.” (Kun, a man in his early 30s who had a son at home).
“I farm near my apartment. By growing my own veggies, I’m hoping to have more control over the safety of the food I eat. It feels like this problem in the food industry needs more people to be aware of it and pay attention.” (Xia, a woman in her 50s, lives with her husband in one city, while their daughter works and resides in another city).
These participants took self-protective measures to manage food safety risks. These measures included permanently or temporarily discontinuing the purchase of contaminated products (such as vegetables, meat, eggs, and locally produced baby formula), buying foods sourced from rural areas, and producing food items at home. They showed confidence in the efficacy of the self-protective strategies in reducing such risks. Additionally, they perceived individual-level avoidance of food safety risks as more effective compared to relying on governmental and public health authorities for solutions.
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