Consumer attitude toward food irradiation

Thesis/Dissertation · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:6963701

Bruhn, C M.M.

Consumer attitudes toward food irradiation were evaluated. The influence of educational efforts on consumer concern for the safety of irradiated products and willingness to buy irradiated foods were measured. Demographic and psychological factors were studied in relation to attitudes. An educational leaflet describing current scientific information regarding the safety, advantages, and disadvantages of food irradiation was developed and used in two studies evaluating attitude change. In the first study, attitude change among two groups of consumers with different philosophic orientations was measured. In a second study, the effectiveness of an educational leaflet received through the mail and a poster display were examined. In a third study response to food irradiation was related to value hierarchy, locus of control, innovativeness, and demographic parameters. Initially, subjects showed a higher concern for other areas of food safety, particularly the use of chemicals and sprays on food, than toward food irradiation. After educational efforts, conventional consumers expressed minor concern toward irradiation whereas ecologically sensitive alternative consumers obtained from a food cooperative expressed major concern. A knowledgeable discussion leader lowered irradiation concern among conventional consumers. In contrast, concern among alternative consumers did not diminish when given the opportunity to discuss safety issues with a knowledgeable person.

• Research Organization: California Univ., Davis (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6963701
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290200 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Economics & Sociology
290600 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Nuclear Energy
553004* -- Agriculture & Food Technology-- Food Protection & Preservation-- (1987-)
60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
ATTITUDES
CONSUMER PRODUCTS
EDUCATION
FOOD PROCESSING
IRRADIATION
PROCESSING
PUBLIC OPINION
SAFETY