Assessment of Consumer Protection and Food Security in Addis Ababa: The Case of Merkato Area Food Shopping Centers
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Date
2011-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This paper assessed the practice consumer protection and Food security In Addis Ababa
specially in Merkato area .This research followed random sample selection a cross sectional
method, designed based on the primary data generating through survey of consumer situation and
food security in Markato area, the legal and institutional set up for consumer protection.
Accordingly, the activities of traders, consumers and regulatory bodies were investigated. The
numbers of seller respondents were 123 out of which 111 were properly responded. On the other
hand the numbers of consumer respondents were ISO of which 139 were properly responded.
Thirteen food items that were selected in the study ,from these thirteen food items the
consumers list Oil juice ,biscuits ,coffee ,butter and peanut butter as food items that are
susceptible to deception and commonly they are commonly found in that way. From the
trades side, Juice ,biscuit Peanut butter ,oil, coffee ,and butter are said to be more susceptible
to deception. According to our laws the food items are required to have proper packaging and
labeling but 60.4% of consumers said the food items do not have proper labeling and
packaging. Further, 22.3% of consumers and 30.6% of traders said the labels are not written
either in Amharic or English languages. This puts the right of consumers to get information in
jeopardy. What is to be given special attention is that 78.4% of the consumers and 65.5 % of
the traders do not know there are laws for consumer protection in the country. In
connection to these significant mimber of consumers and traders in the area do not know
their rights and duties. With respect to the regulatory agencies efficiency on food quality
and safety control, 68.4% of the traders and 72.4% of consumers agreed that the government
should improve its efficiency on food quality and safety insurance. Key informants from
the government and non-governmental institutions asserted that currently the government is
working on its capacity to improve its efficacy on making sure that the food items have
the appropriate quality and safety requirement of the cOlmtry .The movement of the
government is witnessed by the establishment of Trade Practice and Consumer Protection
Authority and the disintegration of the fonner QSAE in to four different institutions which
in one or other ways improves consumer protection in the Country as well as in Addis
Ababa.
Key words: Consumer Protection, Food quality and safety, Food security, Merkato.
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Keywords
Consumer Protection, Food quality and safety, Food security, Merkato