Awareness and Advertisement of Red Meat Carcinogens in Low Income Grocery Stores

Abstract

Previous studies regarding the association between increased cancer rates and socioeconomically challenged locations have not pinpointed specific products that contribute the most toward the risk of cancer. This study aimed to find a few of the most highly advertised carcinogenic products in one area, and how they may be generalized to a larger scale. In this project, multiple methods of data collection were performed; a census map of the counties in central Texas was used and a rural, socioeconomically impoverished was chosen as the site for this study. Personal perceptions of products and product placement in a few randomly selected stores as well as interviews with store employees were some of the research methods used to collect data. Overall, the three most advertised products were beef jerky ( coming in assorted flavors and sizes), instant noodles, and sausages/meat sticks. Other products were also found to be advertised, however, not to the extent of these products, and not to the rate of successful purchase as well. With elevated cancer levels around the world, it is important to increase awareness of the risks that certain common foods may pose, but go unnoticed due to the details involving long, unknown chemical names and terms. The results of this study might shine light upon some of the most commonly advertised products containing carcinogens so that customers can be more aware of what they are purchasing before consuming them.