Exploring customers’ perceptions of food adulteration at bazaars and supermarkets in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract Background : Food adulteration is an increasingly recognized global public health problem. In low- and middle-income countries like Bangladesh, adulteration is difficult to detect and respond to. We explored customers’ perceptions on food adulteration, perception of risk, and connections between information, participant characteristics, and patterns of adulterated food concerns that impact risk perception in urban Bangladesh. Methods: The study was conducted in Dhaka, between June and August 2015 at a supermarket, and a wet market. We explored differences in awareness and response to chemical contaminants (adulterants) by socio-economic status . The team conducted 38 in-depth interviews with 12 customers, and 4 staff from a supermarket, and 12 customers and 10 vendors from a wet market. Participants were selected purposively.…