Food Facts Asia Issue 34 - How do consumers in Asia feel about .

Food Facts Asia Issue 34 - How do consumers in Asia feel about Biotech food?

Understanding the insights on how consumers in Asia perceive the use of biotechnology to produce foods and how likely consumers are to accept the various benefits biotechnology derived foods may bring.

The Asian Food Information Centre (AFIC) has conducted a study on the perceptions of consumers in Asia toward food biotechnology. The purpose was twofold. First, the study was designed to get a better understanding of the Asian consumer’s attitudes towards the safety of the food supply and food labeling. Second, the study investigated consumer concerns related to food biotechnology, and their understanding and acceptance of benefits that might be provided by biotechnology. 

AFIC commissioned The Nielsen Company Research to conduct a quantitative assessment of the consumer attitudes on these issues in July – August 2008 via an on-line survey of 1007 adults, aged 18-64, living in 5 major cities in Asia - Beijing, New Delhi, Manila, Seoul andTokyo.  

Dr. George Fuller, Executive Director of AFIC, says “This recent survey is one of the few that objectively measures opinions and perceptions of Asian consumers in relation to food biotechnology and can be considered as a benchmark for the region.”