Eurobarometer, on behalf of Efsa, has completed its survey on the ‘fears on the plate’ of populations in the macro-region Europe. After the analysis conducted in the then 28 EU countries, which we have already shared, here is the one conducted in the 5 candidate countries.
The analysis covers 4 Balkan countries-Albania, Montenegro, Serbia, Republic of North Macedonia-and Turkey. And it is considered a necessary activity to direct the development of food safety rules in the various states that have been in ‘pre-accession’ status for years.
The drivers of food spending in the Balkans and Turkey
The motivations driving food purchases in the 5 pre-accession countries are very diverse. The most pronounced difference with the European average emerges in countries with Muslim adherents. Ethical and religious preferences-indicated as decisive in the choice of food by 19% of EU citizens-are in fact the most important variable in Turkey (67%), where 98% of the population is Muslim and therefore does not consume pork or meat without a halal certificate, in addition to abstaining from the consumption of alcoholic beverages.
Consumers in the 5 pre-accession countries, moreover, share several concerns already expressed by citizens in the member states. First, food safety, which is a concern for 50 percent of Europeans and is cited as a crucial element in neighboring countries as well. In detail, the first three variables that guide food spending:
– Albania
Nutritional profile 63% vs 44% EU,
58% food safety vs. 50% EU,
Ethical and religious choices 28% vs 19% EU.
– Montenegro
Food security 53% vs. 50% EU,
origin 44% vs 53% EU,
Nutritional profile 40% vs 44% EU.
– Serbia
Prices 61% vs 51% EU,
52% food safety vs. 50% EU,
origin 41% vs 53% EU.
– Republic of North Macedonia
Food safety 65% vs. 50% EU,
56 vs 53% EU origin,
Ethical and religious choices 23% vs 19% EU.
– Turkey
Ethical and religious preferences 67% vs 19% EU,
Food safety 51% vs. 50% EU,
51% prices vs 51% EU.
Worries in the shopping cart
The most insidious food-related concerns declared by peoples pre-accession to the EU hold some surprises.
Surprising is the apprehension in Albania toward genome editing(new GMOs, or NBTs), which worries 41 percent of respondents. An issue of interest to 15 percent of citizens in the Republic of North Macedonia and, interestingly, only 4 percent of respondents in the EU. Among the most perceived concerns in Albania follow additives (34), pesticide residues (26 percent), microplastics (23) and hormones (20).
Other concerns expressed more strongly than in the EU concern GMOs – topping the risks feared by Serbs (46%, vs. 27% in the EU) and ranking second among Turks (29%) – and the food contact materials (MOCA), considered a danger by 34 percent of respondents in Turkey (compared to 16 percent in the EU).
Proximity (and radio-free) alerts.
Food safety information sources are dominated everywhere by television, except in Serbia and Montenegro. A prevalence of ‘relationship’ news(from mouth to mouth) also emerges in the 5 countries under study, compared to the EU. Radio information, on the other hand, is lacking. In detail, these are the channels of the alerts:
– Albania
Television, newspapers (more than in EU) and family-friends-neighbors (61, 43, 36%, respectively) are the primary sources. Very little is learned on the radio (4% vs. 25% in the EU), but far more than in Europe from relationships with doctors (31% vs. 18% EU), shopkeepers (18% vs. 7%) and outdoor vendors (8% vs. 4%).
Albanians accord great trust to European institutions (79% vs. 58% EU), scientists (77% vs. 82%), NGOs and journalists (72% vs. 56% and 50%, respectively, in the EU) But also to the food industry (68% vs. 36% EU) and finally to bloggers (54% vs. 19%).
– Montenegro
Family, neighbors and friends (42%) are the first source of information. They are followed by TV (40 percent), doctors (34 percent vs. 18 percent EU), shopkeepers (17 percent vs. 7 percent) and street stands (9 percent vs. 4 percent). Minimal role of radio (3%, compared with 25% in EU).
Montenegrins place more trust in scientists (68%) and farmers (66%), European institutions (63% vs. 58% EU), NGOs (62%), national authorities (59%) and bloggers (56% vs. 19% EU).
– Serbia
Family and friends are the information source in 60 percent of cases, more than TV (55 percent). Radio remains at its lowest (3% in Serbia vs. 25% in EU).
Reliability is considered highest in scientists (81%), lower though relevant in EU institutions (49%). Serbs seem to distrust journalists (36% vs. 50 EU), expressing more trust in bloggers instead, compared to Europeans (32% vs. 19%).
– Turkey
The sources, in order, are television, family, and social media (72, 48, 39%, respectively).
Reliability of news is believed to be highest among farmers (84% vs. 69% EU), scientists (79% vs. 82% EU), consumer organizations (71 vs. 79), NGOs (69 vs. 56) and finally authorities, national (65 vs. 60) and European (54 vs. 58). Curious and indeed worrying, however, is the stated trust in celebrities, bloggers and influencers, considered trustworthy by 52% of Turkish citizens surveyed (vs. 19% in EU).
– Republic of North Macedonia
TV is the first source of news (66 percent), trailed by the friendship network of neighbors, friends and family (61 vs. 37 EU). Newspapers inform only 9% of the population (vs 38% EU), radio only 3% (vs 25% EU). On the other hand, social media is the information source for 32% (vs. 24% EU).
Macedonians seem more distrustful than their neighbors, as only 66 percent believe scientists and 56 percent believe European institutions. As well as having little trust in national authorities (58 percent), journalists (58), and the food industry and bloggers (54 percent).
The complete Efsa Eurobarometer fact sheets of the 5 countries studied are available at the following links:
NORTHERN MACEDONIA http://www.efsa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/corporate_publications/files/eurobarometer19/country-factsheets/ebs_92.3_fact_mk_en.pdf
Professional journalist since January 1995, he has worked for newspapers (Il Messaggero, Paese Sera, La Stampa) and periodicals (NumeroUno, Il Salvagente). She is the author of journalistic surveys on food, she has published the book "Reading labels to know what we eat".
