Aspects regarding Food Safety and Consumer Protection on the Market of Public Food Services

• Author: Neacsu N.A.
• Position: Transilvania University of Brasov
• Pages: 21-28

Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Braşov

Series V: Economic Sciences • Vol. 12 (61) No. 2 – 2019

https://doi.org/10.31926/but.es.2019.12.61.2.3

ASPECTS REGARDING FOOD SAFETY AND

CONSUMER PROTECTION ON THE MARKET

OF PUBLIC FOOD SERVICES

Nicoleta Andreea NEACŞU1

Abstract: The market of public food has developed and diversified

considerably lately, increasing the interest of the population in spending

their free time and satisfying certain needs through the services offered by

restaurants. Thus, the concepts of food safety and consumer protection

have developed and gained special importance on this market.

The paper analyses these concepts on the restaurant market; for this

purpose, a quantitative market research study was carried out, which

aimed to identify and analyse consumer opinions on f ood safety and

consumer protection on the market of public food services.

Key words: consumer protection, food safety, public food, restaurants,

quantitative research

1. Introduction

For traders, the restaurant market is becoming more and more a real business. The

emergence of so many restaurants has led to a diversification of this market, a

branching of restaurants in several areas. The most widespread and frequented area i s

the tourist one, hence the emergence of a new HoReCa concept (Hotel-Restaurant-

Accommodation). When choosing a vacation, consumers evaluate a stay, a service, a

tour package by location and restaurant. Therefore, most hotels and guesthouses have

a restaurant on the premises, specific to the area and to the type of service offered.

In Romania, the restaurant market has developed considerably over the last 20 years,

increasing consumers’ interest in spending their free time and in satisfying certain

needs through the services offered by restaurants. This development shows that the

involvement of the authorities in consumer protection, the protection of their rights, a

greater interest in the traders’ seriousness and the respect for the principles of food

safety should increase.

The preferences evolve, consumers go out to the restaurant not only for lunch, but

also for experience. Restaurants must keep up with the consumers’ needs and

1 Transilvania University of Braşov, andreea.neacsu@unit bv.ro