In today's fast-changing food industry, consumer expectations around safety, quality, and transparency
push for more effective traceability systems. This study examines how Portuguese consumers perceive
food product traceability, focusing on their awareness, trust, and preferences in product origin,
production methods, and safety protocols. Through a survey, the socio-economic impact of advanced
traceability systems was explored. The results show that most consumers consider traceability
essential for ensuring food safety. However, a significant portion remains unaware of these systems.
Factors such as product quality, price, and storage conditions were highlighted as top priorities when
purchasing food, with traceability seen as a way to improve these aspects. Consumers are also
intensely interested in information about product origins and transportation conditions, especially
temperature control, as these directly affect safety and quality. This reflects growing concerns over
foodborne illnesses and waste due to poor transportation practices. The research emphasises the need
for greater consumer education on the value of traceability systems and the potential advantages of
adopting digital traceability technologies. The study's originality lies in its specific focus on the
behaviour of Portuguese consumers regarding food traceability, a topic that has been relatively
underexplored in this context.
