A recent report by the NPD Group found U.S. consumers are now more informed about genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and the benefits of their use in growing food, but many still have concerns about them.
In 2013, more than half of consumers had little to no awareness of GMOs. That percentage has shrunk to a little over a third. As awareness increases, more consumers recognize that GMOs have benefits in growing better and more resilient crops. But for many of those aware, the benefits don’t outweigh their worry, making GMOs the fastest growing food additive concern, according to the NPD report, Navigating GMOs for Success.
TV news coverage and social media have informed consumers about GMOs and the benefits of their use, but the same channels have also fueled fears. Of those consumers aware of and concerned about GMOs, their worries center around food safety and their interest in eating foods that are authentic and “real.”
“With increasing awareness and concern, consumers would benefit hearing from food manufacturers the reasons why they use GMOs and how their use benefits their customers,” Darren Seifer, NPD Group food and beverage industry analyst, said in a statement. “They want to know about what happened to the product before it reached the shelf in areas such as country of origin, corporate responsibility, allergens and other health information. Consumers today want to be informed and appreciate it when food companies make the effort to educate them. “
Very few consumers (11 percent) are aware that a federal GMO labeling law was passed in 2016. The law gives manufacturers the option of showing if their foods and beverages include GMOs—either by words on the label, a symbol on the label or an electronic code readable by a smartphone–QR code. Consumers, who are already relying on the packaging as a guide to determine if a product was made using GMOs, prefer on-package labeling versus using the QR code, reports NPD.
The majority of U.S. farmers indicate biotechnology and GMO crops as an important solution in helping raise crops more efficiently, according to a new survey from the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) and National Corn Growers Association (NCGA).
GMOs are one tool in a farmer’s toolbox to enhance production and grow and raise our food supply more sustainably.
“With GMOs and advances in agricultural technology, we’re utilizing our resources much more precisely today and have pinpoint accuracy when applying fertilizer, nitrogen and chemical applications. This is especially important on my farm in the Chesapeake Bay watershed,” Chip Bowling, vice chairman of USFRA and third generation farmer, said in a news release.
More than 280 farmers across the U.S. were surveyed about their attitudes toward GMO crops. Findings concluded that farmers believe biotechnology helps raise crops more efficiently and that the environment and sustainability practices will suffer if GMO technology is reduced.
Of those polled, 78 percent of farmers foresee increased environmental impacts—including an increase in water usage and application of pesticides—if GMO seeds were not available as a choice in crop production.
Ninety-eight percent of those polled believe GMO seeds are the best way to lessen agriculture’s environmental footprint.
Most farmers (87 percent), when asked about the reason for using biotechnology when raising crops, indicated GMO seeds allow them to minimize pesticide and herbicide usage.
“The farmers’ perspective in the survey findings are a direct indication of how important genetic engineering technology is for the environment and our food supply, and how it benefits farmers and consumers alike,” Bowling said.
Herbicide use has increased through the years since the inception of GMO crops. The increased is due to the increasingly herbicide-resistant weeds.
To learn more follow this link to the complete article by Forbes based on USDA data and a Washington State University study.