Food safety and cognitive biases: what we know, what we need to know, and why

PurposeThe authors review the small but growing literature linking cognitive biases to food safety problems and foodborne illness outbreaks.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted a search of peer-reviewed articles utilizing empirical methods published since the year 2000 focusing on food safety or foodborne illnesses/outbreaks and cognitive biases.FindingsThe authors find that most research is conducted at the consumer side of the food system, with few studies examining the potential problems that can arise in the production and processing of food. The authors also observe that most research tends to focus on a few cognitive biases.Originality/valueThis is the most comprehensive study to date examining insights from the literature on cognitive biases and the related discipline of behavioral economics to the specific problem of foodborne illness outbreaks and food safety problems.