Do environmental attitudes and food technology neophobia affect perceptions of the benefits of nanotechnology?

• Published in: International journal of consumer studies Vol. 36; no. 2; pp. 149 - 157
• Main Authors: Matin, Anahita Hosseini, Goddard, Ellen, Vandermoere, Frédéric, Blanchemanche, Sandrine, Bieberstein, Andrea, Marette, Stephan, Roosen, Jutta
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.03.2012; Wiley
• Subjects: Agricultural sciences; Attitudes; attitudes and opinions; Canada; Consumer attitudes; Consumer behaviour; Consumers; environmental attitude; Environmental Attitudes; Environmental protection; Food; Food Industry; Food packaging; food processing; Food processing industry; Food production; food purchasing; Food science; food technology neophobia; Life Sciences; Nanotechnology; Neophobia; new technology; Packaging; Political beliefs; Polls & surveys; Production Consumption Relationship; production technology; Purchasing; Science and Technology; society; Studies; Survey analysis; surveys; Technology; Canada; ENVIRONMENTAL ATTITUDE; NANOTECHNOLOGY; FOOD TECHNOLOGY NEOPHOBIA; INDUSTRIE AGROALIMENTAIRE
• ISSN: 1470-6423; 1470-6431
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1470-6431.2011.01090.x

In recent years, a significant amount of research has focussed on the analysis of consumers' aversion to new technologies in food production and processing. At the same time, research has shown that environmental attitudes may be related to purchasing behaviour of consumers. This paper presents the result of an investigation into Canadian attitudes towards nanotechnology, in general, and in applications in the food industry. The relationship between the food technology neophobia scale, environmental attitudes and nanotechnology is examined. The results suggest that food technology neophobia is significant in explaining attitudes towards nanotechnology, in general, and for food packaging and foods. Environmental attitudes are important in explaining respondents' attitudes towards nanotechnology in general but not in explaining attitudes towards nanotechnology in food packaging or food applications. Survey respondents' views of the role of science and technology in society (makes society worse or better off) are a more important determinant of attitudes towards nanotechnology than whether they had heard of nanotechnology prior to the survey.