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The New Food Fights: U.S. Public Divides Over Food Science
Two largely distinct groups of Americans are focused on food issues
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- The New Food Fights: U.S. Public Divides Over Food Science
- Most Americans see health benefits in organics, a sizable minority sees health risks in GM foods
- Concerns and philosophies about the relationship between food and well-being
- Mirroring perspectives on the health effects of organic food and GM foods
- Two largely distinct groups of Americans are focused on food issues
- Views and behaviors about a wide range of food topics in U.S. are linked with concern about GM foods issue
- Trust in information from food industry leaders is lower for those deeply concerned about issue of GM foods
- Americans’ views and choices about food are strongly linked with their focus on healthy and nutritious eating
- Majority of Americans say healthy eating, physical exercise are key to a long and healthy life
- Despite conflicting reports, a majority of Americans say they understand the core ideas of eating healthy
- Americans have limited trust in scientists connected with genetically modified foods
- Most Americans say scientists, small farm owners and general public should play major role in GM food policy
- Perceptions of the American appetite: More pay attention to healthy eating but fewer reach that goal
- A majority of the public says both quality and quantity of Americans’ food consumption is a problem
- Majority of Americans say healthy eating, physical exercise are key to a long and healthy life
- How Americans classify their own eating habits
- Most Americans feel they should eat healthier and they know who they are
- 15% of U.S. adults report at least one food allergy
- More vegans and vegetarians in younger generations
- Majority of the public says at least some of their family and friends focus on eating healthy and nutritious food
- Minority of U.S. adults have close family and friends with food allergies or intolerances
- More than half of Americans say none of their close family and friends are vegan or vegetarian
- Many Americans say hosts should ask about dietary needs, few bothered by guests asking for special foods
- Food-focused are more inclined to think hosts should ask guests for food needs
- Almost one-quarter of the public says they hear news stories about health effects of food every day
- Most Americans say conflicting news stories about the health effects of food reflect improved understanding
- Despite conflicting reports, a majority of Americans say they understand the core ideas of healthy eating
- Majority of adults have bought local and organic foods in past month, fewer have bought GMO-free products
- People focused on food issues are especially likely to check the labels
- Food-focused Americans more likely to buy organic and GMO-free foods
- Four-in-ten Americans say that at least some of the food they eat is organic
- Majority of Americans say organic produce is healthier than conventionally grown produce
- Younger adults see organic foods as a health boon
- Most Americans who buy organic foods say they did so for health reasons
- Easy availability of organic foods is modestly linked with consumption
- Some 29% of Americans have heard a lot about GM foods; 19% have heard nothing
- About half of Americans say at least some of the food they eat has GM ingredients
- Beliefs about GM foods includes some with “soft” views
- Half of those who say GM foods are worse for health say the health risks of eating GM foods are high
- Half of Americans who have heard a lot about GM foods see them as health risks; those unfamiliar are mostly neutral
- Younger adults more likely to see foods with GM ingredients as worse for health
- Modest differences in views about the safety of GM foods by education, politics
- Americans who eat more organic and veggie-based diets are more likely to care about the GM foods issue
- Americans concerned about the issue of GM foods are a diverse group
- Americans think both positive and negative effects of genetically modified foods are likely
- Americans who care a great deal about GM foods issue expect negative effects from these foods
- Men are more likely to say GM foods will make food more affordable, abundant
- People with high science knowledge see more benefits ahead from GM foods
- Few Americans believe almost all scientists agree on safety of genetically modified foods
- Roughly one-in-five Americans say scientists understand health effects of GM foods very well
- Americans more trusting of information about GM foods from scientists, small farm owners