Consumer Studies - Food-related consumer issues

What are the meanings of the words GMO and GM?

• GMO: genetically modified organism

• GM: Genetic modification

What are GMOs/GMs

The result of the development in modern biotechnology, namely genetic engineering

The manipulation takes place in the genes of the DNA molecule

What are the advantages and disadvantages of GMO foods?

• Advantages for the manufacturer/farmer

  • Needs less pesticides

  • Better for the environment

  • More pest resistant

  • Shortened production time

• Advantages for the consumer

  • Improved food security

  • Longer shelf life

  • Less use of chemicals

  • GM crops characteristics

• Concerns

  • Unethical aspect to it as animals are slaughtered at a young age

  • Cross-pollination can take place and form ‘super-weeds’

  • No evidence that GM foods are harmless

  • May cause antibiotic resistance in humans

What is organically produced food?

A natural way for farmers to grow, cultivate and product agricultural products.

Labour intensive farming methos that eliminates the use of all chemicals.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of organic food?

• Advantages for the manufacturer/farmer

  • Grow healthy plants that are more resistant to diseases, pests and droughts

  • Requires less energy/fuel

  • Smaller carbon footprint

  • Promote biodiversity

• Advantages for the consumer

  • No artificial pesticides

  • More nutritious

  • Better tase

  • No chemical preservatives or artificial additives

• Concerns

  • More expensive (due to labour costs)

  • Smaller crop yields

  • Appearance is not as good

  • Not an easy job to do

What are irradiated foods?

Food that is irradiated with short light and radio waves

These waves penetrate the food and destroy harmful microorganisms and insects and does not make the food radioactive

Occurs especially in the following: chicken, fish, herbs and spices, fruit, vegetables, meat and grain

What are the advantages and disadvantages of food irradiation?

• Advantages for the manufacturer/farmer

  • Reduce losses because food products will not go to waste during storage

  • Reduce the need for preservatives

• Advantages for the consumer

  • Makes food safer to use

  • Radiation helps extend shelf life

  • Destroys insects and bacteria from imported and exported food items

  • Facilitates the recovery of hospitable patients who are extremely susceptible to disease

• Concerns

  • Harmful microorganisms can become resistant

  • Radiation does not destroy viruses

  • These food products are more expensive

  • Reduces or destroys certain vitamins in food

What is food security?

When consumers have daily access to enough, safe and nutritious food

What does food security entail?

• Food availability

  • Where nutritious, safe food and water is available to all households and citizens on a regular basis

• Food accessibility

  • Where all people have sufficient resources to obtain available food and water

• Food utilisation

  • So that the consumer uses his or her basic nutritional knowledge to prepare available food and water in a way that they can maintain a healthy life

Why may food security be a problem?

• Unemployment and poverty

• Limited social services

• Insufficient information, education and knowledge regarding food hygiene

• Small income