Factors Influencing Information-Seeking Intentions and Support for Restrictions: A Study on an Arsenic-Contaminated Frying Oil Event

Purpose – This study aims to examine factors influencing information‐seeking intentions and support for restrictions related to the threat of arsenic‐contaminated frying oil.Design/methodology/approach – A telephone survey using a systematic random sample of 566 respondents in Taiwan was employed to test all hypotheses proposed in this study.Findings – Results from the structured equation model show that news attention and elaboration significantly and positively predict information‐seeking intentions, while optimism significantly and negatively predict information‐seeking intentions; and information‐seeking intentions significantly and positively predict support for restrictions.Practical implications – The findings of this study imply that increasing risk perceptions and providing useful information while facing the threat of food safety are of central importance.Originality/value – The current study provides an appropriate opportunity for developing a model for better understanding the interaction amon...