Consumer Attitudes Towards GM Food

Abstract

To communicate effectively with consumers about genetically modified (GM) food, gaining insight in the formation of consumer attitude regarding GM food is essential. Therefore, the current paper first reviews relevant literature describing how consumer attitudes towards GM food are formed. Next, Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) is applied to own quantitative data to model the formation of consumer attitude towards GM food. Previous analysis of these quantitative data led to the identification and characterisation of four consumer segments (Halfhearted, Green Opponents, Balancers and Enthusiasts) based on beliefs and attitudes towards GM food. Based on the SEM results, recommendations are formulated for each of the four identified consumer segments.     

Consumer Perception of Genetically Modified Food: Empirical Evidence From India

Although the advent of genetically modified (GM) foods changed the agricultural scenario in developed countries, existing research confirms that consumer perception about the consumption of the same is often distorted. GM foods entered the Indian market amid widespread controversies and criticisms. There exists a host of studies that tried to establish the factors that shape favorable consumer perception toward GM foods indeed, but evidence from developing countries like India is still missing. The article undertakes an exploratory investigation of the factors that shape consumer perception about the consumption of GM foods in India and subsequently confirms the same with the aid of a measurement model. The study provides important implications for managers in directing efforts toward influencing consumer perception and instigating positive attitudes toward GM foods so that the benefits of their use can be extended to the masses in relatively nascent markets.     

Consumer Trends and Attitudes to Functional Foods

Abstract

Consumers' needs have grown to such an extent that they are sought out of nutritious and pleasant organoleptic foods, as well as functional foods. This study explores consumer attitudes towards health nutrition products and particularly functional foods, using data from a survey to 325 consumers. The results designate that consumers recognize different kinds of functional foods, willing to pay a premium for their purchase. They perceive that functional foods may contribute to easily follow a healthy and balanced diet and reduce the risk of health problems but appeared anxious about the health benefits these foods communicate in their labelling.     

Consumer Attitudes Toward Biotech Foods in China

Abstract

Based on a largescale survey in 11 cities, this study employs probit and logit models to estimate the effects of various explanatory variables on the likelihood of biotech food acceptance in China. Analyses focus on biotech soybean oil, input and outputtrait biotech rice, and livestock products fed with biotech corn.     

Consumer Valuation of Food Quality and Food Safety Attributes in Vietnam

Food systems in developing countries are currently undergoing a profound transformation toward high-value products. Appropriate policies are needed to guide this transformation, presupposing good understanding of consumer preferences. We analyze consumers' valuation of different vegetable attributes in metropolitan areas of Vietnam, using contingent valuation techniques and a mediation framework for two specific examples. Consumers are willing to pay an average price premium of 60% for Chinese mustard that is free of chemical residues and of 19% for different convenience attributes of potatoes. Income levels and media have positive impacts on the willingness to pay, partly mediated through consumer perceptions.     

水果和蔬菜中农药残留检测技术研究进展

随着生活质量的不断提高,人们对食品安全的关注度也越来越高,要使果蔬等农副产品的安全性得到保证,需要对其农药残留状况进行全面监管。本文从农药残留检测发展现状入手,对涉及的检测技术及果蔬安全管控相关建议进行全面研究,明确果蔬农药残留检测技术的重要性,进而为打造绿色无公害农副产品提供助力。     

豇豆中菊酯类农药残留降解动态研究

本实验采用气相色谱法(GC-ECD)进行农药残留检测,研究了百菌清、溴氰菊酯在豇豆上的残留降解动态和最终残留量.结果表明,按照农药推荐使用量,百菌清、溴氰菊酯的半衰期分别为1.82 d、1.07 d,在豇豆中不具有积累性残留效果.参照我国、日本和国际食品法典委员会(CAC)规定的残留限量要求,计算出两种农药的安全间隔期...     

Household Food Demand Analysis in India

Price and expenditure elasticities and estimates of the effect of household demographic variables on Indian food items are estimated using a recent household survey data in rural and urban areas. Using a linear approximate almost ideal demand system (LA/AIDS), the results indicate that for commodity groups (milk and milk products; cereals and pulses; edible oils; meat, fish, and eggs; vegetables and fruits; other foods) demand is elastic only for milk and milk products in both rural and urban areas of India. The impact of demographic variables such as region, household size, education level of household head, and seasonality, was generally significant.     

Mobilizing Against GM Crops in India, South Africa and Brazil

This paper explores the national and transnational character of mobilization against GM crops in India, South Africa and Brazil in the ten-year period to 2005. By examining the contexts and practices of mobilization across the three countries, and in particular the complex, often fraught, local and global connections, the paper examines the diverse mobilizations that have occurred. The paper argues that to understand these processes, particular national political and economic contexts must be appreciated, alongside how the GM debates articulate with other foci for activism and the complex and often fragile nature of alliances that make up activist networks. The paper shows how the debate about GM crops has become a much wider one: about the future of agriculture and small-scale farmers, about corporate control and property rights and about the rules of global trade. In sum, a debate not just about the pros and cons of a particular set of technologies, but about politics and values and the future of agrarian society.     

Consumer preferences for GM food and other attributes of the food system

While qualitative surveys regarding consumers' attitudes about gene technologies and their application to food production are plentiful, quantitative studies are less so. The present paper reports choice modelling methods to examine the conditions under which Australian consumers are willing to purchase genetically modified (GM) foods, if at all, and examines those preferences within the context of the food system as a whole. This allows us to compare consumer attitudes towards gene technology to consumer preferences for other features of the food they consume. The results of the choice modelling analysis suggest consumers require a discount on their weekly food bill before they will purchase GM food. Gene technology using animal as well as plant genes was found to be more objectionable to respondents than that using plant genes alone, especially among women. Age seems to affect the preferences for a certain type of food, with older people generally more accepting of the use of gene technology.     

Green Food Consumption in China: Segmentation Based on Attitudes Toward Food Safety

ABSTRACT

The objectives of this report are twofold: to examine the demographic factors that drive demand for green food and to segment Chinese consumers based on their attitudes toward food safety. An online survey was used to collect consumer behavior information. A total of 402 responses were obtained covering participants who lived in 24 provinces and municipalities in China. Probit modeling, analysis of variance, and cluster analysis are used. Income, education, age, gender, presence of young children, household size, and overseas experience are variables that have an impact on green food purchase. Young, wealthy men, who have young children and live in a small household, are likely to buy green food. The survey shows that Chinese consumers are willing to pay a price premium for green food; however, price will be a major factor restricting the growth of the green food label in China, given market prices. Three segments―the “distrustful consumer,” the “ambivalent consumer,” and the “trusting consumer”―are identified for market segmentation purposes.     

基于QuEChERS方法检测蔬菜和水果中农药残留的质量控制分析

本文阐述了质量控制在蔬菜和水果的农药残留检测中的重要性,并基于QuEChERS方法从样品采集、样品制备、样品运输、提取净化和仪器测定等关键步骤提出了质量控制措施,为果蔬农药残留检测的完善和发展提供参考.     

Canadian Consumer Responses to BSE with Heterogeneous Risk Perceptions and Risk Attitudes

The objective of this study is to quantify the impact of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) on Canadian household meat‐purchasing behavior, distinguished by varying risk perceptions and risk attitudes. Using panel data from 2002 to 2007 and a survey conducted in January 2008, households are clustered by the survey respondent's risk perceptions and attitudes toward beef. For each cluster, two‐stage meat demand systems are constructed, incorporating the demographic characteristics of the households and BSE media coverage. The analysis for the entire panel and for each of the clusters suggests that beef risk attitudes and perceptions do affect household‐purchasing behavior. Households with lower willingness to accept the risks of eating beef have more elastic beef demand and more willingness to substitute beef for other meats as compared to the household clusters with higher willingness to accept the risks of eating beef. BSE media coverage has stronger negative influences on households with lower willingness to accept the risks of beef. Across the entire sample, beef demand is more responsive to media coverage of BSE after the May 2003 domestic BSE case. La présente étude vise à quantifier les répercussions de l’ESB (encéphalopathie spongiforme bovine) sur le comportement d’achat de viande des ménages canadiens, selon la perception du risque et l’attitude à l’égard du risque. À l’aide de données de panel de 2002 à 2007 et d’une enquête réalisée en janvier 2008, nous avons groupé les répondants selon leur perception du risque et leur attitude à l’égard du risque liéà la consommation de b?uf. Pour chaque grappe, nous avons élaboré des modèles de demande de viande en deux étapes qui intègrent les caractéristiques démographiques des ménages et la couverture médiatique de l’ESB. L’analyse du panel et de chaque grappe autorise à penser que l’attitude à l’égard du risque et la perception du risque liéà la consommation de b?uf influencent le comportement d’achat des ménages. Les ménages qui sont moins disposés à accepter le risque liéà la consommation de b?uf affichent une demande de b?uf plus élastique et sont plus enclins à substituer le b?uf par d’autres viandes comparativement aux ménages qui sont plus disposés à accepter le risque liéà la consommation de b?uf. La couverture médiatique de l’ESB a une influence beaucoup plus négative sur les ménages qui sont moins disposés à accepter le risque liéà la consommation de b?uf. Dans tout l’échantillon, la couverture médiatique de l’ESB après la découverte du cas d’ESB au Canada en mai 2003 a influencé la demande de b?uf.     

气相色谱法在蔬菜中农药残留检测的实验研究

目的:了解气相色谱法在蔬菜农药残留检测中的应用情况.方法:文章依据随机抽样原则抽取5份样品,将样品切碎后匀浆粉碎,并经超声提取处理.利用HP-5弹性石英毛细管柱,测定了样品中残留的有机磷农药、氨基甲酸酯农药含量.结果:在0.01～1.00μg·mL-1加标浓度下,有机磷农药具有良好的线性关系,回收率为85.0％～100...     

苹果中6种有机磷农药残留检测的影响因素分析

基于NY/T 761—2008方法,考察了提取溶剂、氮吹终点、基质效应、提取方式和浓缩方式5个因素对苹果中敌敌畏、乐果、甲基对硫磷、毒死蜱、杀扑磷及三唑磷检测结果的影响.其中,氮吹终点的判断是影响检测结果的关键因素,氮吹过度会造成有机磷农药损失,氮吹不完全则造成检测结果远大于实际含量.氮吹不完全情况下,氯化钠是造成基质...     

厦门市售特色农产品水果中64种农药残留研究与分析

目的：随着人们对食品安全和质量的重视,特色农产品的安全问题备受国内外关注。为了积累地方特色农产品的监测数据,为制定供厦食品标准提供参考,以水果农药残留为研究对象,应用国家标准快速检测方法,监测整理地方特色农产品的风险项目和风险品种。同时为监管部门制订相应的监督抽检方案及风险预警提供参考依据。方法：采用高效液相色谱串联质谱快筛检测方法,应用巨研科技有限公司开发的i TAS软件进行结果判读。结果：涵盖枣、橄榄、柑、橘、香蕉和苹果5个食品细类,共计300批样品,发现2批次不合格,不合格率为0.67%。同时检出71批无限量指标样品,占比23.7%,检出问题项目共计100项次。结论：厦门市售部分特色水果中仍然存在乱用滥用农药或某类农药再残留的现象,应以问题为导向,引导源头规范用药,并持续加强市场监督管理。     

QuEChERS-GC法测定白菜中3种有机磷农药残留量

实验选用QuEChERS法对样品进行提取、净化、浓缩集成前处理,应用气相色谱法对白菜样品中3种有机磷(敌百虫、二嗪磷、水胺硫磷)农药残留进行定量分析.测定结果表明,3种有机磷农药成分含量在0.005～0.200 mg·kg-1范围有良好线性关系,相关系数r为0.9992～0.9994,RSD为1.2％～3.8％,检出限为0.004～0.006 mg·kg-1,加标回收率为87.4％～115.5％,均符合《实验室质量控制规范食品理化检测》(GB/T 27404—2008)要求.     

食物消费与肥胖——基于食物特点的消费者分层研究

本文结合当今中国最突出的现象——日益增长的消费者社会和快速上升的肥胖流行趋势,利用2002年中国居民营养与健康状况调查资料,采用因子分析和聚类分析相结合的方法,将消费者按照食物消费特点进行分层,结果得到4个不同的膳食特点的消费群体,即“黄土高坡”、“江南水乡”、“小康之家”、“西洋情调”。本文比较了各类膳食特点人群的肥胖率及社会人口学特点,结果显示,处于社会经济状况较好的“小康之家”和“西洋情调”组由于膳食中较高比例的动物性食物的摄入,超重和肥胖率最高;中等生活水平的“江南水乡”组由于较为平衡的膳食结构,超重和肥胖率最低;而社会经济状况较差的“黄土高坡”人群,膳食质量较差,但超重和肥胖率却较高,是应特别引起关注的人群。