News

GMO labeling not a top concern

A new research survey says labeling for health is far more important to consumers than biotechnology.

Charlie Arnot with the Center for Food Integrity tells Brownfield their annual consumer trust survey found consumers most importantly want to know about food ingredients.  “Sodium, sugar, anything that might impact or be related to an allergy or some other kind of disease condition was of greatest interest to consumers, and then other things that relate to diet and health were of great interest as well.”  He says while GMO labeling has been a hot topic, consumers ranked it much lower on what mattered to them.

Arnot says agriculture will need to embrace demand for transparency to build and maintain consumer trust.  “They have a bias that the larger the company, the larger the farm, the more likely that the organization is likely to put profit ahead of public interest.”

He says more men in the survey believed the food system is headed in a positive direction than women, which does influence the social conversation that takes place and perceptions about food and agriculture.

AUDIO: Interview with Charlie Arnot