food safety, Consumer concerns about food safety span the issues of pesticide and herbicide residues on agricultural products, additives and preservatives used in food processing, and antibiotics and hormones used in livestock feed. Apprehension about food safety seems to be on the rise. Yet, consumer information has not kept pace. California's Proposition 65, passed in November 1986, requires food labels to note toxic chemicals and is one example of how consumers are seeking to ameliorate this situation. It may be time to permit individual consumers to decide how much toxins they want to consume, i.e., permit the marketing of food products containing a range of toxins so long as the foods are labeled to indicate the level of "health hazard" associated with the toxins the food contains. The "health hazard" displayed on food labels might be calculated like statisticians determine the health hazards associated with automobiles. (original)
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 94 Document Number: C07112
Notes:
food irradiation; food safety, James F. Evans Collection, In: Charles W. Felix (ed), Food Protection Technology. Chelsea, MI: Lewis Publishers, Inc., 1987. p. 55-60
search through journal, In this paper, dimensions of the debate surrounding the application of gene technology to food production are discussed and a study assessing perceptions of the technology among a sample of the UK public (n=1499) is reported. The general picture that emerges from the study is one of people expressing low familiarity with the technology, with more people associating it with high risks than with low risks, and more people expecting it to provide low benefits than high benefits. Attitudes towards different applications vary significantly, as does trust in different potential sources of information about the technology. It is also shown that attitudes can be predicted not only by estimates of risks and benefits but also by perceptions of the involvement of ethical issues, but the perceived need for the technology, and by the perceived likelihood of improvements it is likely to bring to the quality of life in the UK. The results are discussed in the context of the need for greater public information about the technology and the realization that communication of risks takes place within a complex network of societal relationships. (original)
Casey, Mark W. (author), Doyle, Willard H. (author), and Brand Group, Inc., Chicago, IL; Brand Group, Inc., Chicago, IL
Format:
Report
Publication Date:
1986
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 93 Document Number: C07075
Notes:
James F. Evans Collection, Chicago, IL : Brand Group, Inc., 1986. Final report, prepared for National Marine Fisheries Service, Cooperative Agreement no. NA84AA-H-SK099. 18 p., A study designed to evaluate consumer fears of irradiation, to assess consumer acceptance of irradiated seafood and the impact on the seafood industry, and to develop strategies to help consumers overcome food irradiation concerns is described in this report.
Wood, Darrell F. (author / Food Research Institute)
Format:
Book chapter
Publication Date:
1987
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 94 Document Number: C07109
Notes:
food irradiation; food safety, James F. Evans Collection, In: Charles W. Felix (ed), Food Protection Technology. Chelsea, MI: Lewis Publishers, Inc., 1987. p. 363-368
