Effect of information and information source on consumer preference for food irradiation
Date
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The effect of consumer information about food irradiation and the source of the information was studied through a survey mailed to 400 residents each of Manhattan and Topeka, Kansas. Two-thirds of the surveys contained a brochure providing answers to frequently asked questions about irradiation, one-third did not. Half of the informational brochures were altered to suggest they were from industry, half from the government. The survey questioned consumer choice between irradiated and non-irradiated ground beef patties, with price differentials from 10 cents/lb to 40 cents/lb costlier for irradiated patties. A greater price differential resulted in less preference for irradiated beef patties. The informational brochure increased the choice of irradiated patties, with that from a “government source” rather than an “industry source” being more effective (57% compared to 51%).