Consumers are ready to accept benefits from biotechnology-derived foods. Genetically modified foods will most likely become an increasing feature of the Asian diet due to the region’s growing demand for high volumes of quality food. These were highlights of a consumer survey conducted by the Asian Food Information Centre (AFIC) in five Asian countries - China, India, Japan, Philippines and South Korea.

“This recent survey is one of the few that objectively measures opinions and perceptions of Asian consumers in relation to food biotechnology and can be considered as a benchmark for the region. An important outcome of the survey is that amidst heightened media attention on food concerns, Asian consumers have high confidence in the role food biotechnology can play for future food supply and are open-minded about the various benefits food biotech products can bring,” said George Fuller, Executive Director of AFIC. Other key findings of the research reveal that:

• Consumers were positive about the broad range of potential benefits that biotechnology-derived foods can offer, expressed by a high likelihood of buying such products.
• Although most Asian consumers are not familiar with the concept of ‘sustainable food production’, once the concept is explained a majority of the consumers believe sustainable food production is important. Asian consumers also largely accept plant biotechnology if the technology contributes to a more sustainable way of producing foods.
• The most important information consumers in Asia look for on food labels is expiry date. Presence of biotechnology-derived ingredients is not a labeling demand.

To access the summary report  "Consumer Perceptions of Food Biotechnology in Asia: 2008 Consumer Survey’, visit http://www.afic.org/2008/consumerresearch.php?news_id=819&start=0&category_id=25&parent_id=25&arcyear=&arcmonth.  For more information, contact info@afic.org..