Consumers Cautiously Warm up to Irradiated Beef

Sixty percent of participating consumers were willing to purchase irradiated beef burgers or ground beef if they cost the same as non-irradiated, according to a survey conducted by at Kansas State University (KSU). Older consumers, families with children under 18 at home and people with at least a college education were among those who said they were willing to buy irradiated meat.

Although consumers are largely leaning towards accepting irradiation of meat products, they are still cautious in their attitudes, according to an article on a recent survey that appeared in the most recent KSU Food Safety Consortium newsletter. At least some consumer apprehension boils down to the terminology irradiation and lack of knowledge regarding the process, said Michael Boland, a Food Safety Consortium and associate professor of agricultural economics.

Moderator Comment: Have the events of the past year played a part in consumers' views on irradiation?

Many things have changed since last September. The mail delivered to our doors became a cause for concern. Attendees to big events now have to be safety conscious when once all they thought about was having a good time. Where we travel; what religious services we attend, what we eat and drink are all considerations for a nation on alert and at war. [George Anderson - Moderator]

• KSU Survey Shows Consumers Warming up to, but Still Cautious About, Meat Irradiation - The MeatingPlace.com

• Food Irradiation Process Is Getting Favorable Press: Survey - The MeatingPlace.com