- Role of science with respect to GM foods
- Will consumers have confidence in GE food safety standards?
- Need balanced public relations efforts
- Education of consumers
SECOND TIER
Role of science with respect to GM foods Mentions 5
Consumers
- The evidence often presented is biased (on both sides). And science is seen as the holder of the answers.
- Inability of current science to provide surety of safety of GM food particularly in the long-term.
- GE foods ‘emotive’ issues are given media attention whereas sound science principles always on back foot when allowed to be presented.
Producers / Manufacturers / Marketers / Retailers
- Media generated consumer fears can not be rejected by “scientific proof”.
Research
- Food science has been brought into disrepute by lack of good public relations.
Will consumers have confidence in GE food safety standards? Mentions 5
Consumers
- Consumer distrust = consumer rejection.
Producers / Manufacturers / Marketers / Retailers
- How much notice will consumers take of Codex standards?
- Proof of safety costs. Who pays and will it necessarily add to the consumers feeling OK about the food they eat?
- Limited consensus of what to believe. Essential to positive go forward action.
- Certain groups have distinct paranoia of who to believe (which organisations are telling the truth).
Research
Need balanced public relations efforts Mentions 4
Consumers
- A perception that the global companies with control of technology not presenting the ‘true’ story to consumers.
Producers / Manufacturers / Marketers / Retailers
- Poor communication by agencies over who and what they represent, i.e. consumers have really only seen one side of the coin.
Research
- Public awareness – more balanced picture needs to be conveyed by the media and interested parties. Consumer is very confused at present.
- GM foods have been a public relations disaster for most food manufacturers and they (together with regulatory agencies) must make a major effort to rectify this.
Education of consumers Mentions 4
Consumers
- Consumer understanding of the whole technology (e.g. allergenicity issues) in regards to how GE foods tested as equivalent to standard foods.
- Consumer – lack of sound information ………… education on these issues at the behest of vested interest / commercial return organisations. Impartial education – in lay terms – is lacking.
Producers / Manufacturers / Marketers / Retailers
- Consumer safety for the common person to go by.
Research
- Education – educating the consumer on the safety issues associated with GE foods.
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Contact for Enquiries
Dr Sharon Adamson
Manager,
Innovation Policy
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
PO Box 2526
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 4 894 0618
Fax: +64 4 4 894 0741
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