Consumers Concerned About Negative Health Effects of GMOs and Pesticides

Consumers show great concern about genetically engineered foods and want to see more action from the U.S. government around food safety—An overwhelming majority of survey respondents – more than 80 percent – are concerned with the health effects of food that contains GMOs, synthetic pesticides, chemical additives or chemical fertilizers. Approximately 85 percent believe the U.S. government should conduct more testing on the health impact of GMOs and pesticides in food, while 82 percent support a government mandate for all food products to be labeled when they are GMO-free. Additionally, two-thirds of respondents would not knowingly purchase milk from cows that have been given synthetic hormones.

Despite the higher cost of organic food, many consumers prefer to buy organics, especially for children—Forty-four percent of consumers say that at least half the groceries they buy are organic, although more than 70 percent of these shoppers report their grocery bills have increased since regularly purchasing organics. Nearly one-third have purchased or would purchase organic food only for the children in the family, with 62 percent saying they do so for health reasons. This might mean having to shop at more than one grocery store to find the right food, which most consumers seem willing to do. Eighty-seven percent of respondents typically visit two or more grocery stores each month, including grocery chains (88 percent), wholesale clubs (28 percent), specialty stores (21 percent), local farmer’s markets or butchers (19 percent), and superstores (18 percent).

Food allergies and diets are becoming a way of life for many consumers—More than one-third of households (37 percent) today deal with a food allergy or food sensitivity, with dairy, nuts and gluten at the top of the list. Additionally, 35 percent of consumers are currently on a special diet that eliminates certain food groups, more than half of whom (53 percent) say they do so for medical reasons. The most common diets are gluten-free (38 percent), paleo (36 percent) and dairy-free (35 percent). Food-related diseases have been in the spotlight recently – and more than half of consumers believe food-related diseases are over-hyped in the media (51 percent) and that conditions such as Celiac Disease and gluten-sensitivity are over-prescribed by doctors. Notably, the survey found that approximately half of those who are on gluten-free diets have not been officially diagnosed with a gluten sensitivity or Celiac Disease.