If the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) rules that genetically engineered fish are safe to eat, the majority of U.S. consumers would buy it, according to a new survey.
Fifty-nine percent of consumers are “somewhat” or “very” likely to buy genetically engineered seafood if the FDA deems it safe, according to the International Food Information Council’s (IFIC) annual “Consumer Perceptions of Food Technology” report, released on 28 May. At the same time, 26 percent said it is “not too likely” that they would buy GE seafood if it is approved and 15 percent said it is “not at all likely.”
In addition, consumers are confused about genetically modified seafood. When asked whether they believe GMO fish is currently being sold in supermarkets, 12.5 percent of those surveyed said that it is. In reality, AquaBounty’s genetically engineered salmon is not being sold in the U.S., because it is pending approval by the FDA.
“I would expect that some of the news coverage of genetically engineered salmon and the discussions of whether GE fish should be labeled or approved may have something to do with that,” Lindsey Loving, senior director of food ingredient and technology communications for IFIC, told SeafoodSource.
Americans are also unsure whether to support animal (including fish) biotechnology in general. Thirty-one percent said their overall impression of animal biotechnology is favorable, while 31 percent said it is not favorable and 25 percent were neutral.
Overall, consumers are more concerned about the labeling of genetically modified foods (GMOs) than in past years, but most support FDA’s current policy, the report said. Sixty-three percent of consumers support the FDA’s current labeling policy for foods produced using biotechnology, which calls for labeling only when biotechnology substantially changes the food’s nutritional content or composition, or when a potential safety issue (such as a food allergen) is identified.
However, there is a slight increase in consumers indicating opposition to the policy (19 percent) compared to 2012 (14 percent). “Years of legislation, ballot measures, and mischaracterization of food biotechnology have not affected overall support of FDA’s biotech labeling policy,” said David Schmidt, IFIC president and CEO. “However, they have likely played a role in the modest increase we’re seeing in those who oppose it.”
The majority of those surveyed said they would be likely to purchase foods modified by biotechnology for various nutrition and health-related benefits. Seventy-two percent would be likely to purchase food products made with oils that were modified by biotechnology to provide more healthful fats, such as Omega-3 fatty acids. In addition, more than two-thirds of Americans say they would be likely to purchase foods improved with biotechnology to reduce the potential for carcinogens (69 percent), be protected from insect damage and require fewer pesticide applications (69 percent), enhance nutritional benefits (67 percent), and eliminate the trans fat content in foods (67 percent).
