Development and Users' Evaluation of a Food Risk Communications System Using Cellular Phones

Abstract

The web-based food risk communications system was developed such that it could be accessed through cellular phones. The effectiveness of the system and direction of its improvement were examined on the basis of a questionnaire survey. Respondents were requested to access the system through their cellular phones, browse the web pages containing the information regarding agricultural chemicals, and then write down their evaluation of both-the information and the system-on their questionnaires. Many of them understood the information regarding agricultural chemicals and expressed the effectiveness of the system. However, the results revealed the existence of pecuniary and psychological barriers in browsing the web for information on food safety. The extent of incentives that should be provided in order to help users overcome such barriers has been designated as a topic for further studies.