The relationship between seven types of food safety concerns and the corresponding change in food consumption habits of 236 households in Georgia, USA was evaluated. Results showed a gap between food safety concerns and food consumption habits. Gaps were particularly evident in the cases of pesticide residues, animal drug residues, growth hormones and bacteria. For example, more than 54% of sample households were extremely concerned about pesticide residues, but only 35% actually took extreme precaution in buying items considering this perceived threat. The study indicated that educating consumers about preventive methods to reduce food safety threats will lead to reduced concerns and changes in food consumption habits.

A random utility approach is used to estimate the logit equations which indicate what factors affect the likelihood of consumption of non-Genetically Modified (GM) and GM foods and whether or not consumers are willing to pay a premium for non-GM/GM foods. Ceteris paribus, as the price difference between non-GM and GM foods rises, people are more likely to consume GM foods. The likelihood of GM food consumption is higher in the middle income brackets. Consumers are willing to pay an expected premium of 19.5% and 16.12% for golden rice and GM edible oil, respectively. In the case of chicken, consumers seem to pay a very negligible premium for non-GM-fed chicken. Overall, it appears that GM foods may be acceptable in the Indian market. However, basic awareness about GM foods may have to be created among the consumers through government ministries, consumer interest groups and biotechnology food crop companies.

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