Study title

Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.

The main aim of this study was to understand quantitatively the views of the general public on the subject of Genetically Modified (GM) food labelling to support a qualitative piece of research. The data were collected using a set of questions on a TNS face-to-face Omnibus Survey.

The objectives of the survey were to:

• understand public awareness and knowledge of GM, e.g. how knowledgeable do the general public claim to be in terms of the use of GM in food or food production and how involved are the general public with GM issues
• understand current use of labelling more generally as well GM labelling, e.g. what information is the general public seeking when purchasing food and is GM information spontaneously suggested?
• understand the general public's response to GM labelling systems (what types of GM do they feel should be labelled and which should not?, what do consumers understand and expect from a product labelled 'GM free'?, what products could be labelled as GM free?)
• understand the claimed impact on the decision to purchase a product if labelled as either as 'GM free' or 'contained GM'
• understand any differences across different segments of the general public

Further information can be found on the Food Standards Agency GM free labelling: exploring public responses to the labelling of GM food and the use of GM-free labelling webpage.


Main Topics:

The survey asked about use of labels more generally when buying food as well as awareness and knowledge of the use of GM. Specific GM food label questions were only asked of those aware of GM. This meant that those unaware of GM were not asked the later questions in the questionnaire. The sample size at these later questions (that is those who were asked specific GM food label questions) was 1,050 interviews.