Food related consumer issues

Question 1

List 5 food related consumer issues.

Answer 1

Genetically modified food; organic foods; food irradiation; food security; self-sufficiency

Question 2

What is genetically modified food?

Answer 2

Genetic material from one organism is implanted into another organism in order to introduce characteristics from one species into another.

Question 3

What are organic foods?

Answer 3

Food grown without artificial fertilisers, pesticides, herbicides, growth regulators and live-stock additives. Produced through sustainable agriculture.

Question 4

What is food irradiation?

Answer 4

A technology that reduces or eliminates micro-organisms and insects in food to improve the safety of food and to extend their shelf life.

Question 5

What is food security?

Answer 5

It is when all people have access at all times to sufficient, safe, nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.

Question 6

What is self-sufficiency?

Answer 6

Farmers consume some of their own produce making them self-sufficient. Townsfolk keeping poultry and planting vegetable gardens strive towards self-sufficiency.

Question 7

What does import mean?

Answer 7

To bring something in from another country.

Question 8

What does export mean?

Answer 8

To send goods for sale or exchange to other countries.

Question 9

What are the advantages of organic foods?

Answer 9

Healthier and more nutritious food free from hormones and antibiotics while causing more employment and less pollution. Humane methods are used to farm meat and the animals can roam free and live a good live before becoming dinner.

Question 10

What are the disadvantages of organic food?

Answer 10

It’s more expensive with a shorter shelf life and an imperfect appearance. It is time consuming and labour intensive farming where the farmer must have exceptional skills in agriculture.

Question 11

What are the health benefits of organic foods?

Answer 11

Reduce public health risk by minimising the exposure to toxic and persistent chemicals on the food. Rich in Vitamin C and E, omega 3 fatty acids, iron, magnesium, and phosphorus that strengthen the immune system.

Question 12

How does organic food benefit the environment?

Answer 12

Chemicals/fertilisers/pesticides/herbicides which could harm the environment are not used.. Water is cleaner, soil quality improves, pollution is limited.

Question 13

How does organic food benefit the economical environment?

Answer 13

It increases jobs and boosts the economy because people have a salary and can contribute to the growth of the economy. That leads to less crime and a smaller burden on government for food and housing schemes because people are more self-sufficient.

Question 14

What are the advantages GMO food?

Answer 14

More pest resistant, herbicide resistant, disease resistant, greater yield of crops, milk and meat at a lower cost.

Question 15

What are the disadvantages of GMO food?

Answer 15

Often causes allergy responses, the effect of transferred genes are still unclear, resistant to antibiotics.

Question 16

What concerns relate to GMOs and public health?

Answer 16

No data proving GMOs are harmless; confusion about labelling and consumers can’t make informed decisions without clear labelling; allergens cause many problems, safety issues such as toxicity of foods and allergic reactions need to be studied.

Question 17

How can GMOs promote consumer health?

Answer 17

Food with increased mineral and vitamin content can be developed while allergens are removed. Properties that prevent chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease can be added to the GMO. Less chemicals can be used during production which benefits the consumer.

Question 18

Discuss GMOs in terms of retail cost and shelf life.

Answer 18

GMOs are cheaper because production cost is lower and they have a longer shelf life.

Question 19

What is the negative impact of transferred genes on organisms in the environment?

Answer 19

If the gene that is resistant to herbicides somehow accidentally ends up in the gene pool of a weed and creates a super weed that cannot be controlled by herbicides. Super organisms can cause numerous problems.

Question 20

How do GMOs affect the natural environment?

Answer 20

Provide better yields and quality products so there’s more food for everyone. There are concerns about the effects these mutations will have on humans. People don’t like it when you tamper with nature. There’s no proof that GMOs are safe yet everyone believes they are.

Question 21

How do GMOs affect the economical environment?

Answer 21

Fewer pesticides are used and crop production costs less. Crops increase resistance to diseases and can be grown in regions with low agricultural productivity. Crop yield is bigger, products have a longer shelf life and the consumer can buy in bulk and save money in the long run.

Question 22

Explain how irradiation extends the shelf life of food.

Answer 22

Very short radio waves penetrate the food. Irradiation eliminates or reduces the number of pathogenic bacteria and prevents food poisoning. It destroys organisms that cause food poisoning and delays the sprouting of potatoes, onions, garlic and the greening of potatoes.

Question 23

What foods are irradiated?

Answer 23

Herbs and spices, fresh fruits and vegetables, meat and meat alternatives, grain products.

Question 24

Give 5 reasons for food irradiation?

Answer 24

Sprout inhibition; insect disinfection; shelf life extension; pathogen reduction; quarantine.

Question 25

How does irradiated food affect consumer health?

Answer 25

It kills harmful insects, organisms and pathogens without making the food itself radio active so there isn’t a negative impact on consumer health. It reduces the use of preservatives and increases the safety of the food. An all round win for consumers.

Question 26

What are the advantages of irradiation?

Answer 26

Improved shelf life; reduced food borne diseases; delays normal ripening and rotting; inhibits sprouting of bulb and root vegetables; destroys insects.

Question 27

What are the disadvantages of irradiation?

Answer 27

Harmful micro organisms can become resistant so that they will no longer be destroyed by irradiation. It is expensive and destroys Vitamin E and C. Some organisms survive irradiation.

Question 28

What does food security depend on?

Answer 28

Food availability; food accessibility; food utilisation.

Question 29

What is food availability?

Answer 29

Safe, nutritious food and water are available on a regular basis to all households.

Question 30

What is food accessibility?

Answer 30

Where all people have enough resources to access the available food and water.

Question 31

What is food utilisation?

Answer 31

The consumers responsibility to use their basic knowledge of nutrition to make safe use of food and water to maintain a healthy life.

Question 32

What causes food insecurity in a country?

Answer 32

Unemployment; poverty; limited social services; insufficient information, education and knowledge about nutrition and hygiene; high incidence of HIV/AIDS.

Question 33

Which factors will have a negative impact on food security?

Answer 33

Strikes; droughts; land reform

Question 34

How will strikes, droughts and land reform negatively impact food security?

Answer 34

They reduce food production which makes food expensive and reduces jobs which increase poverty which increases food insecurity.