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Organic and genetically modified food: consumer beliefs and behavior
Author(s) -
Panchalk Jennifer C,
Mistry Anahita M
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.27.1_supplement.1065.12
Subject(s) - preference , public opinion , psychology , consumption (sociology) , consumer behaviour , negative correlation , positive correlation , genetically modified food , genetically modified organism , social psychology , advertising , business , medicine , mathematics , statistics , political science , biology , social science , sociology , politics , law , biochemistry , gene
Organic foods (OF) are becoming popular in the US, while there is growing public resistance to consumption of genetically modified foods (GMF). The objective of this study was to determine the beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors of the same cohort of consumers towards OF and GMF. A cross‐sectional survey was distributed to adults (n=260) who resided in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It included multi‐level attitudinal and behavioral assessments to determine correlations between response and predictor variables. Multiple correlations were found – consumers who preferred OF did not have a positive opinion of GMF ( p <0.0001); this correlation was strengthened with increased level of education. Consumers who had a positive opinion of GMF were more willing to purchase GMF ( p <0.0001); this correlation was further associated with younger individuals, aged 18–30 years. In contrast, consumers who preferred OF were also willing to purchase GMF ( p <0.0001). There was no correlation between preference and purchase of OF ( p = 0.5141) by consumers. Results thus showed a discrepancy between the belief‐behavior patterns of consumers who preferred organic foods, while consumers who expressed a positive opinion about GMF were more consistent in their beliefs and behaviors.