Changes in Consumer Preferences toward Non‐GM Foods within an Information‐Rich Environment: The Case of the Washington State Ballot Initiative

Second-generation Genetically Modified (GM) crops are associated with consumer-oriented benefits such as improvement of nutritional quality. Given such an evolving market environment, this paper presents differences in consumer preferences and valuations for genetically modified breakfast grain products. The perception of consumers from a developing country, China, is discussed and compared to attitudes in a developed country, the U.S. The survey results reveal that there are notable differences in the attitude and perception of college students across these two countries. Purchase intent for GM foods was low, unless a benefit was promised, and some modifications are viewed more positively than others. Overall, it appears that GM foods may be acceptable in the U.S. and Chinese market. The findings in this study have potential implications for establishing various GM marketing strategies and information campaigns.

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Consumer preferences of genetically modified foods of vegetal and animal origin in Chile

Food Science and Technology ◽

10.1590/s0101-20612012005000025 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 32 (1) ◽

pp. 15-25 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Berta Schnettler ◽

Horacio Miranda ◽

José Sepúlveda ◽

Marianela Denegri

Keyword(s):

Developing Countries ◽

Conjoint Analysis ◽

Genetic Manipulation ◽

Consumer Preferences ◽

Genetically Modified ◽

Animal Origin ◽

Genetically Modified Foods ◽

Store Brand ◽

Tomato Sauce ◽

Gm Foods

Given the debate generated by Genetically Modified (GM) foods in developed and developing countries, the aim was to evaluate the importance of determining factors in the preference of consumers in Temuco and Talca in central-southern Chile for GM foods using conjoint analysis and to determine the existence of different market segments using a survey of 800 people. Using conjoint analysis, it was established that, in general, genetic modification was a more important factor than either brand or price in the consumer's decision to purchase either food. Cluster analysis identified three segments: the largest (51.4%) assigned greatest importance to brand and preferred genetically modified milk and tomato sauce; the second group (41.0%) gave greatest importance to the existence of genetic manipulation and preferred non-genetically modified foods; the smallest segment (7.6%) mainly valued price and preferred milk and tomato sauce with no genetic manipulation. The three segments rejected the store brand and preferred to pay less for both foods. The results are discussed based on studies conducted in developed and developing countries.

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Heterogeneity in consumer preferences for organic and genetically modified food products in Ghana

African Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics ◽

10.53936/afjare.2021.16(2).08 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. 112-125

Author(s):

Rebecca Owusu ◽

◽

Samuel Kwesi Ndzebah Dadzie ◽

Keyword(s):

Consumer Preferences ◽

Genetically Modified ◽

Food Products ◽

Policy Implications ◽

Genetically Modified Food ◽

Choice Modelling ◽

Gm Foods ◽

Discrete Choice Modelling ◽

Modelling Techniques ◽

Global Food

Consumers are increasingly becoming very concerned about food safety, with many giving preference to organic food products over conventional food products, which make use of agrochemicals with potential implications for health. Furthermore, to make the food choice decisions even more complex, genetically modified (GM) foods have been introduced in an attempt to meet global food demand. Consumers therefore must make decisions regarding organic and GM foods. This paper investigates consumer heterogeneity for organic and GM tomatoes in Ghana using advanced discrete choice modelling techniques. The data for empirical application come from a choice experimental study conducted among 200 consumers in Ghana. Our econometric modelling revealed that the sampled consumers preferred organic tomatoes that are produced locally and certified by the Food and Drugs Authority. However, we find a likelihood that women and older consumers may have preferences for GM tomatoes with environmental and health benefits. Policy implications are drawn from the findings of the study.

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Market simulations of consumer preferences for the introduction of GM tomatoes

International Food and Agribusiness Management Review ◽

10.22434/ifamr2019.0218 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-18

Author(s):

Joshua Berning ◽

Benjamin L. Campbell

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Consumer Preferences ◽

Consumer Preference ◽

Grocery Stores ◽

Farmers Market ◽

Tomato Plants ◽

Price Increases ◽

Gm Foods ◽

Analysis Experiment ◽

The Impact

Labeling of genetically modified (GM) foods has increasingly become a topic at the consumer and policymaker level. Using an online survey that included a conjoint analysis experiment, consumer preference for GM labeling on both fresh tomatoes and tomato plants was evaluated. Retailer (farmers market, grocery stores, mass merchandisers) sales and quantity sold were simulated to examine the impact of introducing GM labeling as well as certified GM labeling. Results indicate that retailers can increase revenues via price increases associated with the introduction of GM labeling.

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Acceptability of Queso Fresco Cheese by Traditional and Nontraditional Consumers

Food Science and Technology International ◽

10.1177/108201320100700210 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 165-170 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

S. Clark ◽

H. Warner ◽

L. Luedecke

Keyword(s):

Consumer Preferences ◽

Low Ph ◽

Washington State ◽

Low Salt ◽

The One ◽

Geographical Locations

Four replicate batches of high- and low-salt queso fresco cheeses were made to comnpare consumer preferences. Seven trained panelists judged specific attributes of the eight cheeses. Untrained consumers (395) at three Washington state locations noted how much they liked or disliked the same cheeses. Thirty-three percent of the surveyed population was Hispanic, and 45% were familiar with queso fresco. All cheeses, except the one containing the highest percent salt and the highest pH, were liked slightly to moderately. Traditional consumers (either Hispanic or those familiar with queso fresco) preferred high-saltlhigh-pH cheeses to a greater extent than nontraditional consumers. Nontraditional consumers preferred low-salt/low-pH cheeses. The same preference trends were noted for all ages and at all three geographical locations. Queso fresco with 1.4-2.4% salt and a pH between 5.4-6.1 was most acceptable to the widest range of consumers.

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Designing enhanced labeling information to increase consumer willingness to pay for genetically modified foods

British Food Journal ◽

10.1108/bfj-08-2019-0637 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 123 (1) ◽

pp. 405-418

Author(s):

Jintao Zhan ◽

Yubei Ma ◽

Pengcheng Deng ◽

Yinqiu Li ◽

Meng Xu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Willingness To Pay ◽

Sample Size ◽

Risk Perceptions ◽

Consumer Preferences ◽

Genetically Modified ◽

Food Labeling ◽

Consumer Group ◽

Content Type ◽

Gm Food ◽

Gm Foods

PurposeThe regulations for qualitative genetically modified (GM) food labeling do not effectively eliminate the information asymmetries pertaining to the consumption of GM products. China's GM food labeling law requires the presentation of certain categories of GM products on GMO labels on packages. Such information is invaluable for understanding whether the disclosure of more information on GM foods can help alleviate information asymmetry while reducing consumer fear and risk perceptions of GM foods, and thus cause changes in their behaviors. The purpose of this paper is to explore the heterogeneity of consumer preferences for enhanced GM food labeling, how consumer preferences are influenced by labeling information, and how these preferences vary in different consumers.Design/methodology/approachBoth descriptive statistics and econometric techniques, including the multivariate ordered Probit model, were applied to a sample of 566 urban consumers in the Yangtze River Delta region of China. All respondents were divided into two groups: people who would definitely not buy GM foods before selecting enhanced labeling information (“consumer group 1”, sample size 282) and people who would definitely not object to buying GM foods before selecting enhanced labeling information (“consumer group 2”, sample size 274).FindingsThe findings suggest that urban consumers have a preference for different types of enhanced labeling information about GM foods, that such a preference significantly influences their willingness to pay for GM foods, that there exists a large difference in the preferences of different consumer groups, and that enhanced GM food labeling information has a greater impact on those consumers who would not accept GM foods.Originality/valueThis research identifies the GM information disclosures that most affect consumer preferences and how these preferences vary across different segments of consumers, which is a current gap in the literature. The study has demonstrated that enhanced labels of GM foods with diverse information would not alter a consumer's WTP for GM foods who does not perceive the value of information from the enhanced labels, but change positively consumers with uncertainty willingness to pay before disclosure.

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