Biotechnology in food

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to measure Canadian attitudes towards genetic engineering in food, for both plant-based and livestock, assess trust towards food safety and overall regulatory system in Canada. Design/methodology/approach This exploratory study is derived from an inductive, quantitative analysis of primary data obtained from an online survey of adults, aged 18 and over, living in Canada for at least 12 months. An online survey was widely distributed in both French and English. Data were collected from 1,049 respondents. The sample was randomized using regional and demographic benchmarks for an accurate representation of the Canadian population. The completion rate of the survey was 94 per cent. Based on the sampling design, the margin of error is 3.1 per cent, 19 times out of 20. Findings Consumers misunderstand the nature of genetic engineering or do not appreciate its prevalence in agrifood or both. In total, 44 per cent of Canadians are confused about health effects of genetically engineered foods and ingredients. In total, 40 per cent believe that there is not significant testing on genetically engineered food to protect consumers. In total, 52 per cent are uncertain on their consumption of genetically engineered food, despite its prominence in the agrifood marketplace. Scientific literacy of respondents on genetic engineering is low. While Canadians are divided on purchasing genetically engineered animal-based products, 55 per cent indicated price is the most important factor when purchasing food. Research limitations/implications More research is required to better appreciate the sociological and economic dimensions of incorporating GM foods into our lives. Most importantly, longitudinal risks ought to be better understood for both plant- and animal-based GM foods and ingredients. Additional research is needed to quantify the benefits and risks of GM crops livestock, so business practices and policies approach market expectations. Significantly, improving consumers’ scientific literacy on GM foods will reduce confusion and allow for more informed purchasing decisions. Indeed, a proactive research agenda on biotechnologies can accommodate well-informed discussions with public agencies, food businesses and consumers. Originality/value This exploratory study is one of the first to compare consumers’ perceptions of genetic engineering related to animal and plant-based species in Canada since the addition of genetically modified salmon to the marketplace.

Vegetarianism and other eating practices among youth and young adults in major Canadian cities

“…Nearly 14 % of the Canadian youth and young adults in our sample reported following a vegetarian, pescatarian or vegan diet. These results are slightly higher than estimates from a 2018 survey of 1027 Canadian adults (21) , which found that 5·6 % of respondents described their dietary choices as vegetarian (3·3 %), pescatarian (1·2 %) or vegan (1·1 %). This may be a reflection of the fact that our sample consisted entirely of youth and young adults – who may be more likely to follow these eating trends (22,23) – and was largely urban.…”

“…This may be a reflection of the fact that our sample consisted entirely of youth and young adults – who may be more likely to follow these eating trends (22,23) – and was largely urban. The 2018 survey also found that 63 % of vegans were under 38 years of age, suggesting that diets with fewer animal-based foods are more prevalent among younger Canadians (21) . In the present study, 20 % of respondents reported having made efforts to consume less meat (all types) in the preceding year, and 29 % reported trying to reduce their intake of red meat, which is similar to the proportion in the 2018 survey that indicated 32 % of Canadians were considering reducing their meat intake in the next 6 months (21) .…”

“…The 2018 survey also found that 63 % of vegans were under 38 years of age, suggesting that diets with fewer animal-based foods are more prevalent among younger Canadians (21) . In the present study, 20 % of respondents reported having made efforts to consume less meat (all types) in the preceding year, and 29 % reported trying to reduce their intake of red meat, which is similar to the proportion in the 2018 survey that indicated 32 % of Canadians were considering reducing their meat intake in the next 6 months (21) . Overall, these results suggest that a considerable portion of this sample of youth and young adults in major Canadian cities were making efforts to reduce their consumption of animal-based foods.…”

Socio-Economic Considerations and Potential Implications for Gene-Edited Crops

“…These methods consider stated (what consumers say they do) versus revealed (what consumers do) preferences, which use price information and other factors to explain consumer behavior. Existing methods of this type rely on the assumption that consumers are rational and thus their choices are rational [16,2,45]. Stated preference using consumer's willingness to pay is typically used in evaluating environmental and biodiversity conservation efforts.…”

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the adaptability and resiliency of school food programs across Canada

“…In Canada, the food retail landscape rapidly evolved during the COVID-19 pandemic through consumer panic buying, increased operating costs of grocery stores (due to new enhanced safety precautions) and potential food shortages as a result of closed manufacturing plants, which led to increases in food prices, particularly for certain core food (i.e., recommended) categories ( 4 ). Many Canadians were and are currently faced with reduced work hours or unemployment, lower incomes, and decreased food budgets as a result of the pandemic ( 5 ) thereby increasing their risk of food insecurity and poor diet quality.…”