Probl Hig Epidemiol 2018, 99(4): 358-363pl

Assessment of consumer knowledge on genetically modified foods and the labeling of the same

Barbara Krzysztofik

Katedra i Zakład Inżynierii Produkcji Rolno-Spożywczej, Uniwersytet Rolniczy im. H. Kołłątaja w Krakowie

Summary
Introduction. GMO food is available to Polish consumers, though they rarely pay attention to what products they are buying.
Aim. Assessment of consumer awareness regarding GMOs. The study examined to what extent consumers pay attention to the markings on food packaging, the content and composition of the product and its origin.
Materials & methods. The study was conducted by means of an interview based on a ´face to face´ survey containing 14 questions. The research tested a group of 270 people (100 men and 170 women) of various ages, place of residence, education and professional activity.
Results. A large percentage of respondents have insufficient knowledge about GMOs, consider them to be harmful, poorly labelled, and often have no knowledge of which products on their shopping list are GMO food.
Conclusions. Polish consumers believe that GMO foods have not been adequately tested and that the risk of their use may outweigh the benefits. Their basic source of information about GMOs is the Internet, the press, radio and TV. They are also aware that this kind of food can be an effective tool in combating hunger in the world.

Key words:  GMO, consumer, labelling, survey, knowledge