Information Transparency Matters in Relation to Consumer Trust in Food Safety

The purpose of this article is to provide an integrative conceptual model and propositions to assist in understanding whether information transparency matters under the support of traceability systems and online social networking information in relation to consumer trust in food safety. Extant literature forms the foundation for this article. A conceptual model resulting from this proposes that information on food products provided by traceability systems is proposed to stimulate consumers’ perceived knowledge of food products. Furthermore, online social networking information advances consumer trust in food product safety. The conceptual model proposes three testable propositions and provides insights into food information that consumers find useful for developing trust in food products.