The effect of COVID-19 on food purchasing, eating behavior and food safety perception

The Covid-19 pandemic has directly affected people's lifestyles, including access to food, food purchasing, eating habits and level of physical activity, as well as public health. Although it is a respiratory disease that is not transmitted from the gastrointestinal tract, consumers are worried about the possibility of Covid-19 being transmitted through food and are experiencing food safety concerns. This study is aimed to determine the change in the perception of food purchasing, eating behavior and food safety of consumers in our country during the Covid-19 outbreak. The study is conducted with the cross-sectional screening model with individuals between the ages of 18-65 in seven geographical regions of Türkiye, who were accepted as the universe and stratified sampling method was used to calculate the sample. In this study an online questionnaire developed by the researcher was used as a data collection tool in which 733 people have participated. The obtained data were statistically evaluated by appropriate analysis methods. Based on the statements of the participants; 51.16% are spending less time in the store for shopping, 32.33% are buying packaged food more than usual, 33.02% are stocking up more food, and 20.3% of them started to order online for food shopping, 57.44% are preferring more home-cooked meals, 42.16% are eating more healthier food than typical, and 27.3% are consuming more snacks. Most of the participants are concerned about the health of other shoppers and grocery store workers while food shopping. Participants primarily request that employees wear masks and follow physical distance rules in stores. Participants take personal precautions such as washing hands, avoiding touching surfaces, using sanitizer, washing fresh products, going to store less, shopping during less busy times, using contactless payment system in order to make food shopping safe. 53.89% of the participants think that the food they buy is safe, but 30.96% doubt the safety of the food they buy. 62.21% of respondents trust that food manufacturers can provide adequate food supply. As a result of the study, it was concluded that consumer attitudes and behaviors have changed in terms of food purchasing, eating behavior and food safety perception during the Covid-19 pandemic, and the concepts of public health and food safety have gained importance.