Impact of Socioeconomic Factors on Alabama Consumers’ Perceptions on Use of Chemicals in Livestock Products

Abstract

Production methods in livestock production have been a major source of contention in the public domain. This study focused on the impact of socioeconomic factors on Alabama consumers’ perceptions on the use of chemicals in livestock products. The data were obtained by using convenience sampling; the sample size comprised 432 respondents from South Central Alabama. They were analyzed using descriptive statistics and ordinal logistic analysis. The socioeconomic factors revealed a high proportion of middle-aged or younger persons, with moderate educational levels, and many had low to moderate annual household incomes. Most thought the use of chemicals (pesticides, antibiotics, growth stimulants or hormones, artificial fertilizers, additives and preservatives, and artificial coloring) in locally or regionally produced beef or goat meat was a serious or somewhat serious hazard. The ordinal logistic results revealed that education and household income had significant effects on use of antibiotics; education had a significant effect on the use of growth stimulants or hormones; education had a significant effect on use of additives and preservatives; and education and household income had significant effects on use of artificial coloring. It was recommended that producers and processors be encouraged to use minimum amounts of chemicals, especially the four afore-mentioned ones, in meat products.