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Ever since genetically modified (GM) crops have been grown in South Africa, anti-GM
groups have expressed concern over their possible effect on the environment and human
health. To gauge the extent of this concern, several public surveys have been conducted
and most have found that the majority of respondents knew little or nothing about GMOs.

Recently, the International Food Information Council (IFIC) released the results of its latest
consumer perceptions of food technology survey
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. This survey was held:

To gauge consumer knowledge and awareness of plant and animal biotechnology
safety, benefits and labeling, as well as sustainability and emerging technologies.
To understand the attitudes and opinions regarding food biotechnology and the
importance of certain benefits of todays modern food supply that are made possible
with biotechnology.
To gauge purchase behaviour and determine which information about food
biotechnology, and from what sources, best assists consumers with making informed
food decisions.

The key findings of this survey were as follows:

1. Confidence in Food Safety, Labeling
Confidence in the safety of the U.S. food supply remains consistently high, at 67%.
Disease/contamination (18%) and food handling/preparation (18%) are still the most
mentioned concerns when it comes to food safety.
4% of Americans want information on biotechnology on the label, higher than in
previous years, but still relatively low.
More than half of Americans (53%) say they are avoiding certain foods or
ingredients. Sugars/ carbohydrates (30%) continue to be the most-cited foods people
are limiting or avoiding.
The majority of Americans (63%) support the current FDA policy for labeling of foods
produced through biotechnology, although the proportion of those who oppose (19%)
is higher than in 2012 (14%).
Modern agriculture is viewed positively overall; however, four in ten Americans (39%)
disagree that modern farms are still primarily family-run.

2. Plant & Animal Biotechnology
Consistent with previous years, most Americans (71%) have heard at least a little
about plant biotechnology.
Nearly three in ten are favourable toward plant biotechnology, with the same number
being unfavourable. However, more than four in ten are neutral or dont know enough
to form an opinion.
More than two-thirds of Americans say they would be likely to buy foods modified by
biotechnology to provide nutrition and health benefits, such as providing more
healthful fats, like Omega-3s (72%) and reducing the potential for carcinogens (69%).

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http://www.foodinsight.org/sites/default/files/ctools/IFIC%202014%20Food%20Tech%20Survey%20FINAL%20E
XEC%20SUMMARY.pdf
2014 IFIC Food Technology Survey Results: Consumer perceptions of food technology
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More than half (52%) of Americans have heard or read at least a little about animal
biotechnology.
Favourability of animal biotechnology has remained about the same as 2012 levels,
with about one-third favourable (31%).
Lack of information (55%) and not understanding the benefits (42%) continue to be
the primary reasons consumers cite for not having favourable impressions of animal
biotechnology.

3. Sustainability
More than half (57%) of Americans have some awareness of sustainability in food
production, consistent with 2012 (56%).
Two-thirds of Americans (66%) say it is important that their foods and beverages be
produced in a sustainable way.
The aspects of sustainability most important to Americans are conserving the natural
habitat (47%); ensuring an affordable food supply (45%) and ensuring a sufficient
food supply for the growing global population (43%).
Of those who ranked ensuring a sufficient food supply for the growing global
population in their top three, 72% believe there is a role for biotechnology.

4. Trusted Sources of Information
Consumers trust health organizations (50%), government agencies (45%), and
health professionals (45%) most for information regarding food biotechnology.
Farmers (40%) landed in the top three most trusted sources for information on
sustainability in food production this year.
Journalists (9-10%), bloggers (7-8%), and celebrities (4-5%) are not as trusted for
information on these topics.

5. Millennials (Ages 18-34)
About two in five millennials want more information on food labels (39%), significantly
higher than ages 35-54 (26%) and those ages 55+ (16%).
Like other age groups, nutrition information is the top desired addition to food labels
by millennials (14%).
Millennials are more favourable toward food biotechnology, with nearly 40% being
favourable compared to about 25% for other age groups.
More millennials (15%) have heard a lot about sustainability in food production
compared to other age groups (7% of 35-54 year olds and 5% of 55+).
Two-fifths of millennials (43%) are willing to pay more for sustainable foods and
beverages, higher than other age groups (26% of 35-54 year olds and 16% of ages
55+).
One in three millennials (29%) say they have increased their purchasing of
sustainable foods and beverages in the last year, higher than 35 to 54-year-olds
(14%) and 55+ (7%).

6. Mothers
Four out of ten mothers say they want more information on food labels, a significantly
higher percentage than non-mothers.
Among mothers, ingredient information (10%) is the top-mentioned desired addition
to food.
Awareness of food biotechnology is higher among mothers than non-mothers, with
18% having read or heard a lot about food biotechnology compared to 9% of non-
mothers
Four out of five mothers (77%) would be likely to purchase foods made with oils
modified by biotechnology to eliminate transfat content of foods, compared with 64%
of non-mothers.
More than one-third of mothers (35%) are willing to pay more for sustainable foods
and beverages compared to 24% of non-mothers.
Mothers are more likely to say they have increased purchasing of sustainable foods
and beverages in the last year (26%) compared to non-mothers (13%).