Profile of consumers of genetically modified foods in Goiânia, Goiás

Abstract

This research aims to assess the knowledge and the degree of acceptance of genetically modified foods (GMFs) by students from the 1st until the 4th semester of the Nutrition course, and by consumers of Goiânia, Goiás. The studied population, in November 2012, was composed of 100 students and 100 consumers who were interviewed using a questionnaire containing 5 multiple choice questions related to the definition, consumption, and labeling of GMFs. Only answered the questionnaire those who volunteered to participate in the study by signing the consent form. The results showed that 91% of nutrition students and 60 % of two supermarkets consumers knew what are GMFs. Among the studied population, 37.7 % admitted to GMF consumption, and 23.8 % knew the “T” symbol of transgenic foods . It was found that 79.5 % would not mind consuming GMFs and 60 % look for the label info when making a purchase. The results showed that there is a lack of knowledge of supermarkets consumers about what are GMFs, however, in contrast, most students know about them. In the studied population it was found