Perceptions of food risk management among key stakeholders: results from a cross-European study.

In designing and implementing appropriate food risk management strategies, it is important to examine how key stakeholders perceive both the practice and effectiveness of food risk management. The objective of this study is to identify similarities and differences in perceptions of, and attitudes to, food risk management practices held by consumers and experts with an interest in food safety. Focus groups were conducted in five European countries chosen for their (hypothesised) cultural differences in attitudes towards risk: Denmark, Germany, Greece, Slovenia and the UK.

Heart disease among post-menopausal women: acceptability of functional foods as a preventive measure.

This study reports the results of eight focus group interviews with post-menopausal women (50-59 years, N=73) in Denmark and United Kingdom regarding their views on heart disease among women and the potential acceptability of functional foods as a means of prevention. Although, heart disease was recognised as a serious health problem and its occurrence among women recognised, it was predominantly conceived as a health problem affecting men and as being largely due to the relatively unhealthy lifestyles of men. Only a very small minority of participants were aware of the contribution of menopause to heart disease among women.