Consumers’ Perceptions of Bivalve Shellfish Quality and Safety among Niger Delta Population

Abstract

Bivalve shellfish is a delicious and healthy diet in coastal cities around the world. They are important food items in several dietary regimes in the Niger delta. This study investigated consumers’ perceptions of quality and safety of bivalve shellfish among populations along Niger delta coastline. A clustered based sampling procedure was applied to carry out consumer survey on bivalve shellfish perceptions of quality and safety at four locations along the Atlantic coastline of Niger delta. This was carried out through the use open questionnaire administered through direct interview. Results showed a significant relationship (p<0.05) between some socio-economic attributes and perceptions toward bivalve shellfish consumption. A strong effects of these variables on perception towards bivalve was observed in mean scores of the determined variables. All bivalve species were adjudged to be easily available and cheap implying that bivalve shellfish is a low priced product. Bivalve consumers were conscious of the effects of environmental pollution on the product quality and safety but do not make it a pre-condition before purchasing the product. Over 22% of the consumers have experienced negative health related conditions such as stomach ache, diarrhea and vomiting which were attributed to bivalve consumption. The culinary tradition of consuming bivalve shellfish fresh or slightly cooked raised serious concerned about their safety and tendency to increase risks to consumers’ health. This survey would avail stakeholders in bivalve shellfish related businesses with adequate knowledge on the safety and possible source of risk to consumers