FOOD AND BIOTECHNOLOGY:

Transcription

1 Survey Summary FOOD AND BIOTECHNOLOGY: Trends and Patterns

2 2 Funding for this project is provided by the Canada and Manitoba governments through Growing Forward 2, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.

3 Mission: To give a voice to consumers, by gathering survey information on their opinions, preferences and experiences with food and health, for the benefit of all Manitobans.

4 Survey Overview

5 Percent Q1: What percentage of the time are you the household shopper? (Select 1 answer) Percentage Time Household Shopper % - None 1-25% 26-50% 51-75% %

6 Q2: Have you changed your consumption of genetically modified food products over the past 3 months? (Select 1 answer) Consumption GMO past 3 months 1.8% 15.5% Increased 82.7% Same, did not change Decreased

7 Q3: How would you react to the following information on the ingredient list? (Select 1 answer per line) Contains genetically modified ingredients May contain genetically modified ingredients 62.6% 37.4% 48.6% 51.4% I would buy the product I would not buy the product I would buy the product I would not buy the product

8 Q4: How would you react to the following information on the front of the package? (Select 1 answer per line) Contains genetically modified ingredients Made with genetically modified ingredients 63.6% 36.4% 62.8% 37.2% I would buy the product I would not buy the product I would buy the product I would not buy the product

9 Percent Q5: How would you respond to a positive message on genetically modified ingredients and food in the following scenarios? (Select 1 answer per line): Positive GMO message response (1) Strongly disagree (4) Neutral 5 6 (7) Strongly agree A television commercial or print ad A news report or article Information on the internet/online

10 Percent Q6: How would you respond to a critical or negative message on genetically modified ingredients and food in the following scenarios? (Select 1 answer per line): Negative GMO message response (1) Strongly disagree (4) Neutral (7) Strongly agree A television commercial or print ad A news report or article Information on the internet/online

11 Percent Q7: While shopping for groceries, you notice genetically modified on an item you are interested in buying. What would be your response? (Select 1 answer) GMO Response I buy the food item I buy another food item not labelled genetically modified 25 I buy a food item without genetically modified information 20 I buy the lowest priced version of the food item I buy a familiar food item, my normal brand I buy a food item that looks best None of the above 0

12 Q8: Who do you believe and trust for credible, reliable information to make your decision on genetically modified food products? (Select your top 3 answers) Myself (own knowledge) Registered Dietitians Medical doctors Farmer Family and friends Government Agricultural Business Professional Home Economists Naturopathic, Traditional, or Homeopathic doctors Standard Media (TV, Radio or Print) Pharmacists Nurses, Nurse Practitioners Food or health store clerks None of the above I don't have access to GM information Chiropractors Social Media Personal Trainers Weight loss specialists (e.g. U Weight Loss) Physiotherapists Dentists Celebrities Credible Information on GMOs 23.0% 20.1% 18.7% 13.9% 13.2% 11.5% 10.2% 7.1% 5.9% 5.6% 4.9% 3.1% 2.5% 1.4% 0.4% 0.3% 0.2% 0.1% % 33.1% 54.9% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

13 Q9: Would you select a genetically engineered potato or apple product that stays white after cutting? (Select 1 answer) Likelihood of purchasing GM potato or apple 10.8% 7.3% 7.5% 41.0% 16.4% 6.3% 10.8% (1) Very unlikely 2 3 (4) Neutral 5 6 (7) Very likely

14 Q10: Is it clear to you what a genetically modified food product is? (Select 1 answer) Clarity of GM Definition 9.3% 49.0% Yes Somewhat No 41.7%

15 Q11: Which of the following crops, approved for sale in Canada, have you heard have genetically modified versions? (Select all that apply) GM Crops for Sale Canola Corn Wheat Soybean Tomatoes Alfalfa Sugar Beets Flax Rice Cotton Oranges Blueberries Squash Papaya None of the above 18.2% 17.5% 16.3% 11.6% 10.8% 10.1% 9.1% 6.4% 5.9% 5.3% 36.7% 48.9% 56.3% 68.4% 72.9% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

16 Q12: Do you believe genetically modified foods to be harmful? (Select 1 answer) Where: 1 = Extremely harmful 4 = Neutral 7 = Not at all harmful. To large scale farming operations 4.42 To small to mid scale farming operations 3.42 To future generations 3.42 To the environment 3.66 To nutritional values of food 4.1 To health

17 Q13: Is the information found on food labels easy to understand? (Select 1 answer) Ease of understanding labels 23.3% 18.8% Yes Somewhat No 57.9%

18 Q14: How often do you read food labels? (Select 1 answer) Frequency of reading labels 0.3% 4.1% 22.8% 54.3% 18.5% Never Rarely Sometimes Frequently Always

19 Percent Q15: Do you believe it is necessary for government to require labelling of genetically modified food products? (Select 1 answer) Government labelling of GM foods No, it should not be required No, it should be voluntary Yes, if the quality or nutrition is altered, and/or it is a possible allergen Yes, it should be mandatory in all cases 0.5 None of the Above

20 Q16: Would you pay a premium for food products with any of the following labels? (Select all that apply) Pay premium for labels Locally Grown 59.7% No use of chemical products 39.0% Certified Organic Naturally Grown Has been inspected or guaranteed to be organic Not Genetically Modified None of the above 32.4% 31.6% 27.0% 24.6% 21.5% Authentically Grown Conventionally Grown Genetically Modified 4.8% 3.6% 7.4% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%

21 Q17: Do you trust any of the following, as a way to provide more and better food? (Select 1 answer per line) Where: 1 = I do not trust at all 4 = Neutral 7 = I trust completely. Science of Genetic Engineering 3.61 Hybridization 4.27 Biotechnology

22 Q18: What is your perception of biotechnology companies? (Select 1 answer) 13.3% Perception of biotechnology companies 1.4% 6.3% 16.5% (1) I do not Trust at All % 16.6% 15.3% (4) Neutral 5 6 (7) I Trust Completely

23 Q19: Do your views of biotechnology companies affect your views of genetically modified foods? (Select 1 answer) Views of biotech affect views of GM 26.4% 31.2% Yes Somewhat No 42.4%

24 Q20: What does a genetically modified ingredient or food mean to you? Qualitative/Open-ended question: Selected Responses a change of a natural product through scientific manipulation a crop modified at the genetic level to either better withstand environmental threats (survive longer and reproduce faster) or to enhance the nutritional value, or both. A food altered by introducing genes from another plant/animal that changes its properties presumably for some desirable characteristic. A food or ingredient that has been altered at a genetic level to reduce susceptibility to disease, pests, drought, etc. A chemical that will effect my heath, with frequent consumption could change my DNA possible Gene mutation a crop that is altered from its original state. A food or ingredient in the food that I eat is not grown naturally or processed naturally A food that has been genetically tampered with in order to increase profits for the copyrighted owners by enhancing longevity of the product, decrease in susceptibility to disease and insects.

25 Q21: Please indicate if you have done any of the following? (Select all that apply) Relationship to Farming Have ever planted a garden 79.5% Know person who farms or works in agriculture 67.2% Planted a garden in your yard this past summer 63.9% Currently have a container or pot garden 49.5% Currently live or have ever lived on a farm 40.9% Visited a farm in the past 2 to 5 years 39.8% Visited a farm within the past year 36.2% Currently participate in community-based garden 5.5% None of the above 5.0% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%

26 26 Funding for this project is provided by the Canada and Manitoba governments through Growing Forward 2, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.

27 Food and Biotechnology Survey Summary Toll Free: Website: