Takagi, A, Akiyama, H, Sugiura, J, Takemura, K, Kikkawa, T, Ori, A
Japanese Journal of Food Chemistry and Safety, 26(3) 119-124, 2019 Peer-reviewed
Risk communication is the interactive process of exchanging information and opinions on risk among stakeholders, and
is a component of risk analysis ensuring food safety. This study examined individual differences in the effectiveness of the
participatory risk communication method concerning food additives. The five individual differences which may influence the
participatory method, measured at baseline, were trust in the government, perception of governmental procedural fairness, high
expectation to participate in policy discussions, prior risk perception of food additives, and attitude. The results showed that most
participants reported the enhanced understanding of food additives and more interest in food safety after the participatory risk
communication. The tendency was higher for those who have a greater expectation to participate in political discussions. We also
found that those with low trust in the government tended to have a lower understanding of food additives. The results confirmed
that the participatory risk communication method is more effective and suitable for public meetings where it is assumed that
gathered those have a high expectation to participate in political discussions, and also suggested that the importance of establishing
trust in advance.