NC State University News ServicesCampus Box 7504Raleigh, NC [email protected]/news
NEWS RELEASE
Media Contacts: Dr. Tom Hoban, 919/515-1676 or t[email protected]Tim Lucas, News Services, 919/515-3470 or [email protected]
Nov. 27, 2000
U.S. Food Consumption is Largely Unaffected by StarLink Corn Recall
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Americans have not altered their food consumption habits in the face of recent, highly publicized reports that taco shells were found to contain unapproved bioengineered corn, according to a new survey by North Carolina State University sociologist Dr. Tom Hoban.
Hoban, professor of sociology and food science, surveyed 500 U.S. adults to determine if their attitudes on biotechnology and food had changed after a consumer group reported in September finding StarLink corn in taco shells. The corn, which had been bioengineered to resist pests, was approved only for animal feed because of a small risk of allergic reactions in humans.
More than half of those surveyed, 53 percent, reported that they were aware of the recall of food products containing StarLink corn. But no one interviewed reported that they had avoided any foods that contained genetically modified ingredients.
Only 5 percent had taken any action as a result of concerns over genetically modified foods. Of those who had acted, many simply sought more information. In addition, food companies reported getting few calls from consumers on this topic.
"Biotechnology is simply not an issue of concern for the vast majority of U.S. consumers," Hoban said. "In fact, most U.S. consumers are looking forward to the benefits that biotechnology will provide in the future."
In fact, 67 percent of those surveyed said they would buy produce such as potatoes or tomatoes that been genetically modified to require fewer pesticides. And the same number said they would buy produce genetically enhanced to be more nutritious. Hoban said the responses to these questions showed basically no change over the past five years.
The survey did show that the public was becoming more aware of agricultural biotechnology. Three-fourths surveyed reported having read or heard about the topic. People who had heard or read more about biotechnology were more positive about its use in agriculture and food production, Hoban said.
U.S. consumers generally trust that the food they eat is safe, Hoban said. Two-thirds reported little or no concern about the safety of the food supply, while only 10 percent reported that they worry a great deal about food safety. Consumers' major concerns related to food spoilage or bacterial contamination. No one mentioned concerns about biotechnology or genetic modification.
Hoban, a nationally recognized expert on public opinions about biotechnology, has been conducting public surveys on the topic since 1989. He has been asked to chair a national committee, the Biotechnology Implementation Task Force, on how land-grant universities can educate the public about genetically engineered foods.
Later this month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's panel on biotechnology will hold a meeting to discuss the buy-back of StarLink corn and how the USDA should be involved in monitoring the environmental impact of bioengineered crops. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency also will hold a meeting on the whether the StarLink corn poses risks for humans who consume it.
-- hampton --
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