title: Population survey of attitudes and beliefs regarding organic, genetically modified, and irradiated foods.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sales of organic foods are increasing due to public demand, while genetically modified (GM) and irradiated foods are often viewed with suspicion.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this research was to examine consumer attitudes toward organic, GM and irradiated foods to direct educational efforts regarding their consumption Methods: A telephone survey of 1838 residents in Tennessee, USA was conducted regarding organic, GM, and irradiated foods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Approximately half of respondents (50.4%) purchased organic food during the previous 6 months ('consumers'). The most common beliefs about organic foods by consumers were higher cost (92%), and fewer pesticides (89%). Consumers were more likely than non-consumers to believe organic food tasted better (prevalence ratio 3.6; 95% confidence interval 3.02-4.23). A minority of respondents were familiar with GM foods (33%) and irradiated foods (22%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Organic food consumption is common in Tennessee, but knowledge about GM and irradiated foods is less common. Consumer health education should emphasize the benefits of these food options, and the safety of GM and irradiated foods.
authors.affiliation: 1 Epidemic Intelligence Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Tennessee Department of Health, Nashville, TN, USA.
authors.forename: Jane A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Gwira Baumblatt
authors.affiliation: 2 Tennessee Department of Health, Nashville, TN, USA.
authors.forename: L Rand
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Carpenter
authors.affiliation: 2 Tennessee Department of Health, Nashville, TN, USA.
authors.forename: Caleb
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wiedeman
authors.affiliation: 3 Tennessee Department of Health, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Dunn
authors.affiliation: 3 Tennessee Department of Health, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schaffner
authors.affiliation: 3 Tennessee Department of Health, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.
authors.forename: Timothy F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001290:Attitude; D003132:Commerce; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005260:Female; D005514:Food Irradiation; D005518:Food Preferences; D030841:Food, Genetically Modified; D058870:Food, Organic; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010575:Pesticides; D011639:Public Opinion; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013649:Taste; D013714:Tennessee; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D010575:Pesticides
keywords: Food habits; food; health food; organic