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Consumption of Unsafe Processed Foods in Tanzania: An Appraisal of Influencing Factors and Efficacy of Regulatory Institutional Frameworks

Received: 5 September 2022     Accepted: 20 September 2022     Published: 29 September 2022
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Abstract

This study appraised the consumption of unsafe processed food in Tanzania. It was conducted at Ilala Municipality in Dar es Salaam. Descriptive analysis was used in analyzing data using SPSS. Data were collected by using questionnaires interview, observation and documentations. Random sampling was used. More specifically, this study examined factors influencing unsafe processed foods, eating behavior and assessed the effectiveness of institutional framework in controlling the consumption of unsafe processed foods. The findings indicate that several factors influenced processed food eating behavior such as lack of time to cook at home, influence of friends and environmental factors. Findings show that Tanzania Food and Nutrition Centre (TFNC), Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority (TFDA) and Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) are the regulatory authorities controlling the quality of food. Despite the powers they have to raid, seize, forfeit, condemn and destroy unfit products and devices, still there is deprived prevention and control. Marketing and consumption of un-safe foods is still widespread. Given the above, it can be concluded that the institutional framework (TBS, TFDA, and TFNC) are not effective enough when it comes to the control marketing and consumption of unsafe processed food. On the basis of the findings and conclusions of the study, the following recommendations can be made: Because knowledge regarding nutrition is poor among the food consumers, they should be conscientized on the dangers or health risk of buying and eating fake foods and products. The Government should consider seriously increasing the budget allocation to regulatory authorities and minimizing their dependence on the revenue generated through inspections, licensing and permits. Social workers should also be employed by these regulatory authorities to reach different groups of people through trainings and seminars channeling their activities and resources towards the resolution of a shared goal.

Published in Science Frontiers (Volume 3, Issue 3)
DOI 10.11648/j.sf.20220303.15
Page(s) 127-133
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2022. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Processed Food, Fake Food, Cookies, Substitutes, Consumers

References
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Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Herieth Balagaye, Joseph Cassian Pessa. (2022). Consumption of Unsafe Processed Foods in Tanzania: An Appraisal of Influencing Factors and Efficacy of Regulatory Institutional Frameworks. Science Frontiers, 3(3), 127-133. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sf.20220303.15

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    Herieth Balagaye; Joseph Cassian Pessa. Consumption of Unsafe Processed Foods in Tanzania: An Appraisal of Influencing Factors and Efficacy of Regulatory Institutional Frameworks. Sci. Front. 2022, 3(3), 127-133. doi: 10.11648/j.sf.20220303.15

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    AMA Style

    Herieth Balagaye, Joseph Cassian Pessa. Consumption of Unsafe Processed Foods in Tanzania: An Appraisal of Influencing Factors and Efficacy of Regulatory Institutional Frameworks. Sci Front. 2022;3(3):127-133. doi: 10.11648/j.sf.20220303.15

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  • @article{10.11648/j.sf.20220303.15,
      author = {Herieth Balagaye and Joseph Cassian Pessa},
      title = {Consumption of Unsafe Processed Foods in Tanzania: An Appraisal of Influencing Factors and Efficacy of Regulatory Institutional Frameworks},
      journal = {Science Frontiers},
      volume = {3},
      number = {3},
      pages = {127-133},
      doi = {10.11648/j.sf.20220303.15},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sf.20220303.15},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sf.20220303.15},
      abstract = {This study appraised the consumption of unsafe processed food in Tanzania. It was conducted at Ilala Municipality in Dar es Salaam. Descriptive analysis was used in analyzing data using SPSS. Data were collected by using questionnaires interview, observation and documentations. Random sampling was used. More specifically, this study examined factors influencing unsafe processed foods, eating behavior and assessed the effectiveness of institutional framework in controlling the consumption of unsafe processed foods. The findings indicate that several factors influenced processed food eating behavior such as lack of time to cook at home, influence of friends and environmental factors. Findings show that Tanzania Food and Nutrition Centre (TFNC), Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority (TFDA) and Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) are the regulatory authorities controlling the quality of food. Despite the powers they have to raid, seize, forfeit, condemn and destroy unfit products and devices, still there is deprived prevention and control. Marketing and consumption of un-safe foods is still widespread. Given the above, it can be concluded that the institutional framework (TBS, TFDA, and TFNC) are not effective enough when it comes to the control marketing and consumption of unsafe processed food. On the basis of the findings and conclusions of the study, the following recommendations can be made: Because knowledge regarding nutrition is poor among the food consumers, they should be conscientized on the dangers or health risk of buying and eating fake foods and products. The Government should consider seriously increasing the budget allocation to regulatory authorities and minimizing their dependence on the revenue generated through inspections, licensing and permits. Social workers should also be employed by these regulatory authorities to reach different groups of people through trainings and seminars channeling their activities and resources towards the resolution of a shared goal.},
     year = {2022}
    }
    

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    AU  - Herieth Balagaye
    AU  - Joseph Cassian Pessa
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    AB  - This study appraised the consumption of unsafe processed food in Tanzania. It was conducted at Ilala Municipality in Dar es Salaam. Descriptive analysis was used in analyzing data using SPSS. Data were collected by using questionnaires interview, observation and documentations. Random sampling was used. More specifically, this study examined factors influencing unsafe processed foods, eating behavior and assessed the effectiveness of institutional framework in controlling the consumption of unsafe processed foods. The findings indicate that several factors influenced processed food eating behavior such as lack of time to cook at home, influence of friends and environmental factors. Findings show that Tanzania Food and Nutrition Centre (TFNC), Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority (TFDA) and Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) are the regulatory authorities controlling the quality of food. Despite the powers they have to raid, seize, forfeit, condemn and destroy unfit products and devices, still there is deprived prevention and control. Marketing and consumption of un-safe foods is still widespread. Given the above, it can be concluded that the institutional framework (TBS, TFDA, and TFNC) are not effective enough when it comes to the control marketing and consumption of unsafe processed food. On the basis of the findings and conclusions of the study, the following recommendations can be made: Because knowledge regarding nutrition is poor among the food consumers, they should be conscientized on the dangers or health risk of buying and eating fake foods and products. The Government should consider seriously increasing the budget allocation to regulatory authorities and minimizing their dependence on the revenue generated through inspections, licensing and permits. Social workers should also be employed by these regulatory authorities to reach different groups of people through trainings and seminars channeling their activities and resources towards the resolution of a shared goal.
    VL  - 3
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Author Information
  • B&H Creative Investment, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

  • Department of Human Resource Management, Institute of Social Work, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

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