What is the definition of "organic" food? Are genetically modified (GM) foods safe to eat? What foods comprise a healthy diet? A new study from the Pew Research Center reveals that the U.S. public is divided on answers to these questions and others relating to issues in food science. In this one-hundred-page report, readers can examine the results of a 1,480-person survey that asked a variety of questions related to food safety and health. The survey reveals, for example, that a little over half - 55 percent - of Americans believe that organic produce is healthier than non-organic produce. Meanwhile, 39 percent of Americans described GM foods as "worse" for individual health than non-GM foods. What factors influence these attitudes? Interestingly, Pew found little correlation to geography or political ideology, but did find that age played a role. This report also examines the public's perception of the overall importance of diet to health and the accuracy of food science.
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