Peer review

While consumption of food away from home (FAFH) is an established phenomenon among households in developed countries, FAFH is a growing phenomenon in many middle-income and rapidly-growing developing countries. Although studies are available on the factors affecting consumption of FAFH in developed countries, there is a paucity of such studies in developing countries. This study examines households’ choice of and expenditures on FAFH. We used information from Bangladeshi households and applied a double-hurdle regression model estimation procedure. Findings show that, in general, rich households spend proportionately less on FAFH in a downward trend. Households with female members who work in the non-farm sector are more likely to consume FAFH. Similarly, educated household heads and spouses, and urban households are less likely to consume FAFH and spend less on it. Perhaps the problem of food adulteration by dishonest sellers in Bangladesh is discouraging rich, urban and households headed by educated heads and spouses from consuming more and they are spending less on FAFH. Based on the findings, some points of intervention are prescribed in this study.

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