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In 2016, second‐generation genetically modified (GM) potatoes were approved for production and sale in Canada. In this study, we analyze how consumer acceptance of GM potatoes may be affected by various factors, including the trait introduced (i.e., the product benefits), the type of breeding technology used, and the developer of the potato using any technology. We conduct an online survey and use a stated choice experiment to collect data on consumer acceptance of GM and other potatoes in Canada. Random utility models are used to analyze the economic value consumers place on the various attributes of the potatoes. Our results show that consumers are willing to pay more for a health attribute (reduced acrylamide produced when potatoes are fried) and an environmental attribute. Respondents in general need to face discounted prices to buy potatoes created by either gene editing or GM (either transgenic or cisgenic/intragenic) technologies. However, consumers are in general more accepting of the gene editing technology than the GM technologies. Our results also show that government is the most preferred developer of the potatoes, regardless of technology. Results from this study can help guide public and private management of the introduction of new foods when the products are developed with unpopular technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The data showed a general reluctance towards consuming upcycled foods. • The higher the level of innovation the less intention to consume upcycled foods. • Psychological barriers played a major role in rejecting upcycled foods. • For radical innovations, fear had more impact on acceptance than food neophobia. • Enhancing upcycled foods' perceived usefulness could improve their acceptance. In the context of overproduction and overconsumption that has peaked in recent decades, 40% of the food produced in Canada is wasted, half of which is lost along the supply chain. The circular economy is presented in political and scientific circles as a new sustainability paradigm whose implementation could reduce this waste problem and where food waste could be recovered and reintegrated into the supply chain. However, its concrete application and its appropriation by the population still seem to come up against numerous obstacles, such as consumer acceptability. This research has three main objectives. Identify the variables likely to explain the acceptability as well as to better understand the role of perception and the emotional response of upcycled foods and environmental motivations in the decision to purchase these products and finally, to test the effect of the level of innovation on the purchase intention of these products. 1014 Quebec consumers were surveyed, and three ordinal logistic regression models were implemented, one for each level of innovation, and were then used to compare acceptability between the three levels. Results showed that acceptability is strongly influenced by food neophobia, perceived usefulness and attitude towards these products. Emotions of admiration and disgust also influence the intention to consume these products. Fear, on the other hand, has a negative effect on acceptability only when it comes to radical food innovation. This effect even exceeded the effect of food neophobia. Risk aversion, however, did not show any significant relationship with intention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetically modified (GM) crops were first commercialized in Canada in 1995 and the 2014 crop represents the 20th year of successful production. Prior to the first commercialization of GM crops, Canada reviewed its existing science-based regulatory framework and adapted the existing framework to allow for risk assessments on the new technology to be undertaken in a timely and efficient manner. The result has been the rapid and widespread adoption of GM varieties of canola, corn and soybeans. The first decade of GM crop production precipitated 2 landmark legal cases relating to patent infringement and economic liability, while the second decade witnessed increased political efforts to have GM crops labeled in Canada as well as significant challenges from the low level comingling of GM crops with non-GM commodities. This article reviews the 20 y of GM crop production in Canada from a social science perspective that includes intellectual property, consumer acceptance and low level presence. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]