Trust in Government, Perceived Integrity and Food Safety Protective Behavior: The Mediating Role of Risk Perception

Objective: This study examined the correlations between trust in government and the public’s protective behaviors regarding food safety, focusing on the mediating role of risk perception. Methods: The 2013 (1,432 samples) and 2019 (1,276 samples) Taiwan Social Change Survey data were analyzed using ordinary least squares regression models. The bootstrap method was used to examine the mediating effect of risk perception. Results: Perceived integrity of government regarding food safety issues influences all four types of food protective behaviors directly and indirectly via risk perceptions. The four protective behaviors were “not eating that food,” “preparing food kit,” “preferring organic food,” and “overall behaviors.” Trust in government directly influences part of the protective food behaviors, while no mediating effects of risk perception were found. Conclusion: The results of this study will deepen our understanding of food consumption behavior, identify key factors that influence public food protective behaviors, and inform food safety management to implement strategies necessary to improve food consumption.