Published in Scientific Papers. Series D. Animal Science, Vol. LXV, Issue 1
Written by Adina Alexandra BAICU, Elisabeta Elena POPA, Mona Elena POPA
The lack of a consistent number of studies to indicate the benefits and safety of using food nanotechnology more accurately, as well as the novelty of the field, lead to reluctance from the consumer’s side. At the same time, researchers may feel discouraged by the intransigence of the consumer perception, coupled with a restrictive legislative framework. This results in a circular argument in which all actors in the food field are involved: consumer resistance to change leads to the demobilization of the scientific and academic community. This quantitative research was based on a questionnaire used to explore the acceptance of Romanian consumers (n = 359) of food products obtained or packaged using nanotechnology. In this sense, the extent to which consumers are informed about the use of nanotechnology in the agri-food sector has been determined. The research has been designed in such a way to identify the factors that influence consumers' perceptions in accepting nano-food or food packaged using nanotechnology. The aim was also to identify the demographic characteristics of consumers that would accept foodstuffs obtained or packaged using nanotechnology. The results of this research showed that consumers would more easily accept nanotechnology if it were applied to packaging rather than when it is directly applied to food. Familiarization with the term "nanotechnology" may lead to stronger opinions, either positive or negative. Food industry players could turn their attention to the presentation of concepts and benefits, as well as the risks associated with nanotechnology, to encourage consumers to form their own educated opinions. Such results may reveal an early openness from the consumers' side towards nanoengineering in general and a first step in overcoming food neophobia.
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