Using Africa’s Past To Promote Change Toward Safer Alternatives For Food Packaging In Accra
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Date
2022
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Publisher
Cogent Social Sciences
Abstract
This study aimed to promote attitude change among street vendors
and their customers by exposing them to a communication intervention. The
respondents were exposed to digitized images of ancient pottery and materials
used to meet the daily needs of food storage in Africa’s past, followed by a narration of.
how these materials were used in the past that could be used in the present day to
package food. Respondents reflected on their experiences in the communication
intervention and were engaged in a focus group discussion and in-depth interviews
to tap their perceptions and intentions about safer alternative practices of food
storage in the present times. To discourage the use of harmful food packaging
products, respondents called for attitudinal changes among all actors and suggested that government interventions, prudent economic practices, and education
about food packing practices should lead to the adoption of cultural packaging
practices that are safe and enhance food quality, taste, and palatability.
Respondents further indicated that innovative strategies aimed at transforming
traditional packaging practices will add a modern touch and make traditional and
cultural food packaging safer and more acceptable. Thus, the use of earthenware, clay, leaves, and pottery should be innovatively designed to be more portable and
convenient for packaging food. Modern food packaging businesses should, therefore,
explore the combination of knowledge and ideas from the past and present to
make food packaging safe and more environmentally friendly.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
cultural methods, heritage education, educational activities