9 pages., Via online journal., Food labels legislated by the U.S. government have been designed to provide information to consumers. It has been asserted that the simple disclosures “produced using genetic engineering” on newly legislated U.S. food labels will send a signal that influences individual preferences rather than providing information. Vermont is the only US state to have experienced mandatory labeling of foods produced using genetic engineering (GE) via simple disclosures. Using a representative sample of adults who experienced Vermont’s mandatory GE labeling policy, we examined whether GE labels were seen by consumers and whether the labels provided information or influenced preferences. Nearly one-third of respondents reported seeing a label. Higher income, younger consumers who search for information about GE were more likely to report seeing a label. We also estimated whether labels served as information cues that helped reveal consumer preferences through purchases, or whether labels served as a signal that influenced preferences and purchases. For 50.5% of consumers who saw a label, the label served as an information cue that revealed their preferences. For 13% of those who saw the label, the label influenced preferences and behavior. Overall, for 4% of the total sample, simple GE disclosures influenced preferences. For a slight majority of consumers who used a GE label, simple disclosures were an information signal and not a preference signal. Searching for GE information, classifying as female, older age and opposing GE in food production significantly increased the probability that GE labels served as an information source. Providing such disclosures to consumers may be the least complex and most transparent option for mandatory GE labeling.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 148 Document Number: C23852
Notes:
From The Financial Times via Rand Corporation. 3 pages., Author comments on different perspectives of Europeans and Americans regarding food, eating and other cultural factors, as related to acceptability of genetically modified foods.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: C29084
Notes:
Pages 267-275 in Ronald D. Knutson, Sharron D. Knutson and David P. Ernstes (eds.), Perspectives on 21st century agriculture: a tribute to Walter J. Armbruster. Farm Foundation, Oak Brook, Illinois. 341 pages.
