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Companies developing biotechnology-produced foods have extensive financial investments in research and are eager to get their products approved. Critics of biotechnology feel that insufficient attention is being paid to the risks to ecological systems and health. In this climate of competing interests, debates about approval of biotechnology-produced foods have become heated in many countries. The Netherlands, which has a history of consumer involvement in food and nutrition policy making, incorporates consumer interests into the regulation of foods produced with biotechnology. The open, consensus style of decision making used in The Netherlands is recommended for policy making in other countries.

Consumption of fruits and vegetables is suggested to be beneficial in cancer prevention. However, surveys indicate that a large percentage of the population does not consume the recommended intake of fruits and vegetables. A mail survey was conducted in 1990 to examine attitudes toward nutrition and reported fruit and vegetable intake among randomly sampled Washington state residents (n = 1069; age range = 20-88 years). Individuals in low-income and low-education categories and males had significantly higher scores measuring barriers to fruit and vegetable intake compared to the highest income and education groups or females. All respondents had high nutrition concern despite income or education level. Nutrition behavior scores were significantly higher for individuals with high income. Results of the multiple regression analysis indicated that 16% of the variance in fruit and vegetable intake was accounted for by attitude variables. Barriers to fruit and vegetable intake were the largest component of variability in actual fruit and vegetable consumption. Results suggest a relationship between attitudes about barriers to fruit and vegetable intake and nutrition behaviors. Additionally, males and individuals with limited education and lower income may benefit from education directed toward reducing barriers to fruit and vegetable intake.

Although consumers express concerns about the health effects of pesticide residues, consumption of organic food is minimal. A survey was conducted to investigate the role of concerns about the health and environmental effects of pesticides on consumer preference for organically produced food, and the implications for nutrition educators and the organic food market. Members of a food cooperative that stocks organic foods and residents from the same geographical region were randomly selected to receive a mail questionnaire. Compared to the general population, members of the food cooperative had stronger attitudes and concerns about food and environmental issues, and a higher preference for and more frequent consumption of organic food. Pesticide residue concern was highly correlated with the food-related environmental concern variables and was a significant explanatory variable for organic food preference in both groups. However, environmental concerns were not significant explanatory variables for either group. In both study groups, a positive attitude toward cooking and shopping was correlated with food-related environmental concerns and was a significant explanatory variable for organic food preference. The results support the hypothesis that concern about pesticide residues is a significant factor in preference for organic food. However, the connections between food choices and environmental effects are unclear to many consumers.

Examines the roles of food and nutrition educators in food safety discussions. Questions on safety; Framework for evaluating food risks; Practices that potentially increase food-related risks.