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 Attitudes to Genetically Modified Food in Norway

There is a lack of public acceptance of genetically modified (GM) food products in Europe. Using a dichotomous choice contingent valuation methodology, we find that, on average, survey respondents with a positive attitude toward the use of biotechnology in food production, higher educated, younger, and male need less of a discount to choose to purchase bread made with GM wheat. Further, we estimate confidence intervals for the mean discount required for consumers to choose GM bread. The 95% confidence interval for the mean discount required for the respondents to choose the GM bread is a 37% to 63% discount relative to conventional bread.     

Consumer Demand for Pesticide Free Food Products in Canada: A Probit Analysis

Pesticide Free Production™ (PFP™) is a new crop production strategy that has emerged in the Canadian prairies. Emphasis is placed on substituting human capital for chemical inputs in field crop production. Consumer response to the introduction of food products containing PFP™ inputs is unknown. A consumer survey was developed and implemented to assess what food products consumers would purchase if available in a PFP™ form and what factors affect demand for PFP™ food products. Results from a probit model suggest strong consumer interest in food products containing grains and oilseeds produced in a PFP™ cropping system. Respondents concerned with pesticides in the environment and/or food products, who would switch grocery stores to purchase a PFP™ food product, who were less than 36 years of age, had higher average household income and who would pay a premium for a PFP™ food product were more likely to choose food products with PFP™ ingredients.     

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 Motives and Purchase Preferences for Organic Food Products: Empirical Evidence From a Consumer Survey in Bangalore,South India

ABSTRACT

Consumer organic food choice motives and purchase preferences were studied in a structured quantitative survey (N = 201) in Bangalore, with the aim of identifying consumer segments based on these motives and preferences. Further, sociodemographic differences between the clusters were studied. Face-to-face interviews were used to sample the data, which were analyzed with factor and k-means cluster analysis (SPSS 16.0). Five latent factors were identified based on the motives, representing a set of consumer concerns labeled here as “food phobia” (health),” “environment,” “humanity,” “healthy eaters,” and “control.” Further, three clusters emerged from these motives representing 38%, 37%, and 25% of the sample size. The factors differ in terms of variance. Here, the records of perceived healthiness (food phobia) were the most important element, explaining 18.37% of the total variance. These clusters were differing in terms of the level and order of motivations. The health factor was a most important motive in two clusters, followed by environment. Further, humanity was the most important motive for the third cluster. This may reflect a heterogeneous nature of consumers in study area. Additionally, five clusters were identified based on the preferences, and profiles of these clusters differed in terms of sociodemographic factors and consumption pattern. Segments were identified based on motivating factors and preferences, and linking them with food choice motives and products preference provides the input needed by marketing professionals and policy makers to calibrate more efficient marketing strategies to better focus and position their products and design their communication strategies for target segments.     

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 Attitudes and Acceptance of CLA-Enriched Dairy Products

Consumers have increasingly recognized the link between health and diet, and are taking special interest in functional foods that promise to enhance health and reduce the risk of diseases. Milk, an excellent source of essential nutrients, as well as an ideal carrier of healthy functional ingredients, holds promise for the development of functional foods. A variety of functional milk products have been launched into the market, such as yogurt, milk, butter and cheese fortified with vitamins, minerals, and omega‐3 fatty acids. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which may help reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease, and obesity, is naturally found in milk. The dairy industry is working actively with scientists to develop CLA‐enriched dairy products to serve Canadian consumers. This study examines consumers' attitudes toward CLA‐enriched products, and identifies several key factors that may help determine consumers' acceptance of these products. The information obtained from this study is useful for the dairy industry to develop marketing strategies for CLA and other functional milk products. Les consommateurs reconnaissent de plus en plus le lien entre la santé et le régime alimentaire et manifestent un intérêt particulier pour les aliments fonctionnels qui promettent d'améliorer la santé et de diminuer le risque de maladies. Le lait, qui constitue une excellente source d'éléments nutritifs essentiels de même qu'un véhicule idéal d'ingrédients fonctionnels sains, semble prometteur pour la mise au point d'aliments fonctionnels. Une variété de produits laitiers fonctionnels, tels que le yogourt, le lait, le beurre et le fromage enrichis de vitamines, de minéraux et d'acides gras oméga‐3, ont été lancés sur le marché. L'acide linoléique conjugué (ALC), qui pourrait contribuer à réduire les risques de cancer, de maladie du c?ur et d'obésité, se trouve naturellement dans le lait. L'industrie laitière collabore activement avec les scientifiques pour mettre au point des produits laitiers enrichis d'ALC pour les consommateurs canadiens. La présente étude a examiné l'attitude des consommateurs envers les produits enrichis d'ALC et a identifié plusieurs facteurs clés qui pourraient aider à déterminer l'acceptation de ces produits de la part des consommateurs. L'information recueillie dans le cadre de la présente étude est utile pour l'industrie laitière qui l'utilisera pour élaborer des stratégies de marketing pour l'ALC et d'autres produits laitiers fonctionnels.     

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.     

Consumer Attitudes Towards Convenience Food Usage: Exploring the Case of São Paulo,Brazil

Abstract

The goal of the present study is to assess the impact of attitudinal and sociodemographic variables and resources restriction (time, effort and income) on convenience food usage, mediated by customer convenience orientation. The study was conducted in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. 1391 participants completed an online questionnaire designed to evaluate convenience food usage, attitudinal and sociodemographic variables. Data were analyzed through structural equation modeling by blockwise comparison technique. The results showed that convenience food usage was directly affected by convenience orientation towards the meal planning, kitchen setup and cleaning up stages, and was driven by time and budget perception, both directly and indirectly (as mediated by convenience orientation). Health consciousness and cooking enjoyment showed a negative impact on the usage of these products. The convenience food market in Brazil has a large growth potential, especially if new products take into consideration palatability and nutritional quality.     

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。     

Policies and Attitudes toward Genetically Modified foods in Norway

Policies and Attitudes toward Genetically Modified Foods in Norway Norwegian food and agricultural policies have up to now prevented the introduction and commercialization of GM foods. This may be considered just an imitation of EU neighbours. On the other hand, based on results from our study, the application of the precautionary principle to GM foods is well justified in Norway since consumers currently do not feel comfortable with these products. Our analysis is based on data from a survey of 400 food shoppers in the Oslo‐region of Norway conducted in January 2002. Of consumers surveyed, eighty‐six per cent of consumers thought labeling of GM foods was very important. Consumers in the sample were on average only willing to purchase GM bread with an approximately 50 per cent discount compared to non‐GM bread, indicating that there is strong scepticism toward GM foods in Norway. When comparing the consumers who were the most willing to purchase GM bread with the consumers who were the least willing to purchase GM bread, we found that the latter group was significantly older, had more women, higher incomes and lower formal education. The strict Norwegian GM food policies are consistent with the consumer consensus against the inclusion of GM foods in the Norwegian market. Les aliments génétiquement modifiés en Norvège:politiques mises en oeuvre et attitudes des consommateurs Jusqu'ici, les politiques agrtcoles et alimentaires en Norvège ont toujours prohibé l' importation et la commercialisation d'aliments génétiquement modifyés. On pourrait l' interpréter comme une simple imitation de ce qui se passe dans l' UE voisine. Pourtant, les résultats présentés ici montrent que l'application du principe de précaution aux aliments génétiquement modifyés est justifyée en Norvège par le fait que les consommateurs ne se sentent pas confortables avec ces produits. Ceci ressort d'une enquête effectuée en Janvier 2002 auprès de 400 acheteurs de produits alimentaires dans la règion d'Oslo. 86% des répondants estiment que l'étiquetage des produits génétiquement modifyés est ‘très important’. En moyenne, les consommateurs de l'échantillon exigent un baisse de 50% du prix du ‘pain OGM’ par rapport au pain ‘non OGM’ pour accepter d'acheter le premier. Cela témoigne d'un fort scepticisme vis‐à‐vis des OGM en Norvège. Quand on oppose le groupe des consommateurs les ‘plus favorables’ aux OGM au groupe des ‘moins favorables’ on trouve que le second est composé de gens plus vieux, qu'il est plus féminin, bénéficie de revenus plus élevés et d'un niveau d'éducation plus faible. La politique anti‐OGM suivie en Norvége est done en accord avec l'opinion publique, qui rejette l'idée d'introduire ces produits sur les marchés norvégiens. Politikmaßnahmen und Einstellungen zu genetisch veränderten Le bensmitteln in Norwegen Die norwegische Agrar‐ und Ernährungspolitik hat bislang die Einführung und Vermarktung von genetisch veränderten Lebensmittein erfolgreich verhindert. Dies könnte lediglich als Nachahmung der EU‐Nachbarn aufgefasst werden. Unseren Forschungsergebnissen zu Folge wird das Sicherheitsprinzip auf genetisch veränderte Lebensmittel in Norwegen jedoch aus gutem Grund angewendet, da die Verbraucher diesen Produkten zur Zeit nicht genug Vertrauen entgegen bringen. Unsere Analyse gründet sich auf Umfragedaten von 400 Lebensmittelkäufern aus der Region um Oslo/Norwegen imjanuar2002. 86 Prozent der Befragten hielten es fur sehr wichtig, genetisch veranderte Lebensmittel zu kennzeichnen. Die Verbraucher in dieser Stichprobe waren im Durchschnitt nur dann bereit, genetisch verändertes Brot zu kaufen, wenn es im Vergleich zu genetisch nicht verandertem Brot einen Preisnachlass von zirka 50 Prozent gäbe. Darin zeigt sich eine starke Skepsis der Norweger gegenüber genetisch veränderten Lebensmittein. Beim Vergleich der Verbraucher, weiche die starkste Bereitschaft zeigten, genetisch verändertes Brot zu kaufen, mit den Verbrauchern, weiche die schwächste Bereitschaft zeigten, genetisch verändertes Brot zu kaufen, ergab sich, dass die zweite Gruppe ein signifikant höheres Alter, einen höheren Frauenanteil, höhere Einkommen und eine geringere Schulbildung aufwies. Die strikten norwegischen Politikmaßnahmen im Hinblick auf genetisch veränderte Lebensmittel entsprechen dem Wunsch der Verbraucher, genetisch veränderte Lebensmittel auf dem norwegischen Markt nicht zuzulassen.     

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...     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Nutrition Transition and Changing Food Preferences in India

We present empirical evidence on how changes in food preferences have contributed to nutrition transition, where the dietary pattern of households shifts away from traditional staples. Using household-level time series cross-section survey data for India, we estimate time varying demand elasticities, revealing evidence of the declining importance of cereals in Indian household diets. The estimates show that Indian demand for cereals has become more income inelastic and price elastic. We also find that cereals are a substitute rather than a complement to animal products in household diets. Since changes in elasticities can only be attributed to variation in utility parameters, this indicates that cereals are losing favour with Indian households. These findings have implications for Indian food policy design and implementation.     

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.