title: Consumer attitudes and the governance of food safety.
abstract: This paper reports the analysis of a recent study of public perception of food safety governance in Spain, using genetically modified (GM) foods as an indicator. The data make clear that Spanish food consumers are aware of their rights and role in the marketplace. They are critical of current regulatory decision making, which they perceive to be unduly influenced by certain social actors, such as industry. In contrast, consumers demand decisions to be based primarily on scientific opinion, as well as consumer preferences. They want authorities to facilitate informed purchasing decisions, and favor labeling of GM foods mostly on the grounds of their right to know. However, consumers' actual level of knowledge with respect to food technology and food safety remains low. There are several ambivalences as to the real impact of these attitudes on actual consumer behavior (specifically when it comes to organizing themselves or searching out background information).
authors: Philosophy Department, University of the Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca, Spain. oliver.todt@uib.es
authors: Oliver
authors: O
authors: Todt
authors: Emilio
authors: E
authors: Muñoz
authors: Marta
authors: M
authors: González
authors: Gloria
authors: G
authors: Ponce
authors: Betty
authors: B
authors: Estévez
mesh_terms: D003258:Consumer Behavior; D003257:Consumer Product Safety / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000592:standards; D005515:Food Labeling; D030841:Food, Genetically Modified / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007881:Legislation, Food; D011639:Public Opinion; D013030:Spain