Profile of Fish Consumers and Consumer Risk Factors in the Itajaí Fish Market, Santa Catarina, Brazil

Fish meat is an excellent source of protein of high nutritional and biological value, which increases its consumption by the Brazilians. However, there are also some risks associated with fish consumption, known as foodborne diseases. In order to avoid this problem, it is important to know that fish must only be consumed in good conditions of freshness and storage. This work aimed to evaluate the degree of consumer awareness to risk factors of fish consumption and the sanitary aspects of these products in the Fish Market of Itajaí, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Data collection was performed throughout two questionnaires: one applied for 400 consumers and other applied in the 25 boxes of commercialization based on observations of the hygienic-sanitary conditions. The data were analysed with χ² test and the frequencies were compared within each distribution. Most of the studied population preferred to buy shrimp (59.75%), and did not know the possibility of fish causing foodborne diseases (67.5%) and usually buying fish that had not yet undergone cooling (52%). The main determinant that led the consumer to buy the fish was the aspect of the product (75.5%). The majority of consumers evaluated the freshness of the fish through the brightness of the eyes (56.75%) and the colour of the gills (40.75%). Regarding the hygienic-sanitary conditions of the marketing boxes, it was observed that all the products were exposed for sale without ice, while also being handled without gloves. Consumers were mostly unaware of the risk factors associated with fish consumption, mainly related to foodborne diseases, and that handling by traders should be improved, providing good practices as wearing hands protection or frequent hand washing and also storing the products at appropriate temperature.