Consumer Attitudes Towards Organic Food Applications, Environmental Issues and Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

Abstract

Consumer interests towards the organic products is increasing in line with the increase in the variety of supplies despite the recent economic crisis. Organic food consumption is greatest in the developed countries like the USA and the Europe, however a rising trend is observed all over the the world. This qualitative study aims to investigate the tendency of Turkish organic food consumers by means of face to face interviews with participants in organic bazaars. 56% of respondents are females, whereas 44% of them are males and they are aged between 16 to 80. Our study reveals that health and the environmental awereness are the main factors on consumer’s decision to purchase organic food. The results of our research also indicate that organic food consumers may follow a trend, in which initial perceptions are augmented over time by food security, future of nature, environmental ethics and sustainability of health. Food safety, which can be perceived as non-use of chemicals and synthetics is the foremost consideration for Turkish organic consumers on food consumption decisions. The information gathered in this study can contribute to the development of scales for measuring consumer food preferences and the desire of staying healthy.

Keywords: Factor Analysis, Consumer Tendency, Organic Foods, ANOVA, Conventional Foods, Chemicals, Environmental Issue,  Consumer Perception