UF/IFAS survey: Food safety is among top concerns for Floridians
The survey covered several food-related issues, including public perceptions about food safety, food insecurity and genetically modified foods. It also found knowledge gaps among Floridians, especially in the area of food safety, and detected conflicted feelings among the public about genetically modified foods.
Among a list of 15 issues, ranging from the economy to endangered species, food safety ranked third, with 85 percent of respondents calling it extremely or highly important. Food production practices came in ninth, with 74 percent ranking it as extremely or highly important. The issue of genetically modified foods was 14th on the list, with 57 percent calling it important, Irani said.
An example of a knowledge gap between respondents’ perceptions and fact was the response to a question about the safety of different types of food products. For instance, frozen fruits and vegetables enjoyed high consumer confidence, with at least 72 percent of those polled saying they are safe. About 60 percent of respondents felt similarly about canned fruits and vegetables. Raw fruits and vegetables were close behind, with nearly 60 percent of respondents perceiving them as safe.
Joy Rumble, an assistant professor in agricultural education and communication with the PIE Center, said the study also showed that while nearly half the respondents said they were worried about genetically modified or engineered food safety, many were unsure about possible advantages, whether they would ever buy genetically modified food, or whether genetically modified organisms (GMOs) might harm the environment. But 52 percent approve of using genetic modification to help fight citrus greening, a disease that threatens the state’s $9 billion citrus industry.
UF has dedicated $1.45 million toward food security, safety and distribution systems as part of its Pre-eminence Plan – how officials hope to spend the first $15 million from the state Legislature is to hire top-flight faculty in targeted areas.
Source: news.ufl.edu
