Wybrane aspekty ochrony polskich konsumentów na rynku żywności w świetle regulacji prawnych i badań ankietowych

In the research conducted in 2000 on the representative sample of Polish consumers, a low level of awareness of consumers’ rights was observed. The level of knowledge on institutions or organisations dealing with protection of consumers’ rights was very low. Therefore, there is a need to stimulate consumers through any contacts with media to popularise the knowledge on consumers’ rights and to make them aware of existing such institutions and organisations. The improvement of awareness of rights held on consumers will motivate them to use their rights and will force the other participants of the distribution channel (particularly producers and retailers) to have respect for consumers’ rights. It is necessary to prepare appropriate education programmes on consumers’ rights on the food market. One should emphasize that due to the recently developed legislation on consumers’ rights the Polish consumers should be better protected on the food market.