Climate change is a major driver of emerging food safety risks, including mycotoxin contamination, with profound implications for global food security and public health. Effective adaptation requires more than technical and top-down solutions; it depends on the active engagement of diverse stakeholders across the food system. Without such engagement, even advanced risk management tools may fail to gain trust or adoption.
This systematic review examines how key stakeholder groups (e.g., farmers, consumers, policymakers, and the food industry) perceive climate-related food safety risks, their adaptive and behavioral responses, and the gaps in awareness and strategies. A comprehensive search was conducted in Scopus and Web of Science using keywords related to climate change, food safety, mycotoxins, stakeholders, and risk perception. In total, 1,529 records were identified (Scopus = 730, Web of Science = 799). After duplicate removal and initial screening of titles, abstracts, and keywords, 85 articles were retained for full-text assessment, following the PRISMA guidelines. Screening and extraction were supported by an AI-powered systematic review platform.
Data extraction focuses on study characteristics (authors, year, country, context, stakeholder group, and journal), study design, aims, participant details, sampling and data collection methods, analysis strategies, ethical considerations, findings, and identified research gaps. Preliminary results indicate that most studies emphasize consumer perspectives, with fewer exploring the roles of farmers, industry, or policymakers.
This review will synthesize current evidence on stakeholder perceptions and adaptive behaviors in relation to climate-driven mycotoxin and food safety risks. The findings aim to highlight gaps in stakeholder engagement and to inform the co-development of effective, inclusive adaptation strategies across the food system.