A significant majority of consumers are happy with the U.S. FDA’s current system for labeling foods produced with biotechnology, according to the 2014 International Food Information Council (IFIC) Consumer Perceptions of Food Technology survey. While ongoing public debate continues about the labeling of GMOs in the food supply, and individual states pass legislation to require mandatory labeling, many consumers still reported that they were likely to purchase foods produced through biotechnology for certain benefits, such as nutrition.

IFIC reported that the survey has consistently shown that when made aware of the health and agronomic benefits of food biotechnology, most Americans are receptive. The council suggested that accurate information about the technology is important to promoting informed food choices.

Labeling
Americans’ general satisfaction with current food labels remains high. Seventy-four percent of consumers could not think of any additional information that they would like added to food labels. Among all survey respondents, 8% wanted additional nutritional information, 5% wanted more ingredient information, and only 4% wanted information about biotechnology or related terms, which is low, especially given how much attention state labeling efforts have received.

Consistent with previous years, nearly two-thirds (63%) of consumers support 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%) compared to 2012 (14%).

“Years of legislation, ballot measures, and mischaracterization of food biotechnology have not affected overall support of FDA’s biotech labeling policy,” said IFIC president and CEO David Schmidt. “However, they have likely played a role in the modest increase we’re seeing in those who oppose it.”

Perceptions of Food Biotechnology
The majority of Americans, 71%, have some awareness of plant biotechnology. Twenty-eight percent are favorable toward plant biotechnology, with significantly more consumers this year (28%) reporting being unfavorable than in 2012 (20%). However, 43% of consumers are neutral or say they don’t know enough to form an opinion. Interestingly, Millennials (ages 18-34) have significantly more favorable impressions of food biotechnology—with nearly four in 10 (38%) being favorable—compared to one-quarter of consumers ages 35-54 (25%) and 55 and older (24%).

The majority 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. More than two-thirds of Americans say they would be likely to purchase foods improved with biotechnology to reduce the potential for carcinogens (69%), be protected from insect damage and require fewer pesticide applications (69%), enhance nutritional benefits (67%) and eliminate the trans fat content in foods (67%).