Whose fault is it? Fraud scandal in the milk industry and its impact on product image and consumption – The case of Brazil. (June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Breitenbach, Raquel; Rodrigues, Heber; Brandão, Janaína Balk
• Is Part Of: Food research international. Volume 108(2018)
• Page Start: 475
• Page End: 481
• Publication Date: 2018-06
• Subjects: Milk fraud -- Food product image -- Qualitative study; Food -- Analysis -- Periodicals; Food industry and trade -- Periodicals; Food industry and trade -- Canada -- Periodicals; Food Technology -- Periodicals; Food -- Periodicals; Food-Processing Industry -- Periodicals; Aliments -- Industrie et commerce -- Périodiques; Aliments -- Industrie et commerce -- Canada -- Périodiques; Aliments -- Recherche -- Périodiques; Food industry and trade; Canada; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 664.005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2018.03.065
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0963-9969

Abstract

Abstract: Food safety is a crucial thematic to any nation and the frauds in the food chain are an increasingly phenomena nowadays. The general goal of the present work was to identify the perception and behavior of Brazilian fresh milk consumers' in relation to the fraud in the milk production and sell chain. A total of 1015 consumers answered an online questionnaire on the variables that shape decision-making (individual differences, environmental influences and psychological stimuli or processes) and the behavior related to this decision process. The results were discussed based on the theoretical model proposed by Blackwell, Miniard, and Engel (2005) and their 7 stages. The results of this qualitative study showed that the impacts were declared, specially, in the reduction of milk consumption; losses to the image of the sector and the warming of the informal milk market, due to the increase in demand in this trade. The reduction of demand and the depreciation of the agents' image, have a negative impact on the entire chain, since it reduces revenues for all agents and, to a greater degree, for processors and related suppliers/farmers directly with the brands identified in the investigation actions and disclosed in the media. The female consumers were more affected, impacting on a greater reduction of the consumption. Unlike young consumers, they have not changed their behavior in relation to the chain. Graphical abstract: Unlabelled Image Highlights: Revelation of fraud reduces milk consumption in the formal market and increases in the informal market. The consumer blames the industry for fraud. Women showed greater reduction in confidence and consumption after fraud. Younger consumers are less sensitive to fraud.