CONSUMER PERCEPTION OF HEALTH RISKS IN FOOD

Consumer/Household Economics, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,

CONSUMER DEMAND FOR ECOLABELED APPLES: SURVEY METHODS AND DESCRIPTIVE RESULTS

This paper examines potential consumer demand for ecolabeled apples. Since apples are purchased by 90% of U.S. households, we are able to investigate the choices of a large and diverse cross section of consumers. Focusing on a single agricultural product such as apples enables us to investigate more specific and realistic consumer choices. This paper also examines how different types of ecolabel claims might affect consumer demand. Ecolabels may vary in terms of the comprehensiveness of their environmental claims and the amount of proof substantiating claims. Ecolabels might claim to reduce only a single environmental impact or they might claim to reduce multiple environmental impacts. There may be no proof for the claims other than seller reputation or the claims might be documented and verified by a highly reputable third party (e.g. government agency, private firm, non-profit environmental group). Each unique combination of claim comprehensiveness and proof represents a different ecolabel and thus a different good. This paper examines how two levels of claim comprehensiveness and two forms of proof affect consumer demand. Finally, this paper examines factors affecting consumer demand for ecolabels. These factors include prices, income, household size and education. They also include familiarity with the claim and personal motivations such as improved health and environmental concerns. Both the purchase location of apples and whether or not an individual normally buys organic are also examined.Demand and Price Analysis, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,

CONSUMER DEMAND FOR ECOLABELED APPLES: RESULTS FROM ECONOMETRIC ESTIMATION

This article presents a theory and empirical estimates of consumer demand for ecolabeled apples. The effect of varying comprehensiveness of environmental claims and amount of proof supporting claims is examined. Data are from telephone interviews with 893 randomly selected U.S. households. Substantial demand for ecolabeled apples is found. Variations in claim comprehensiveness and amount of proof are statistically insignificant.Demand and Price Analysis, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,

USING ECOLABELING TO ENCOURAGE ADOPTION OF INNOVATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES IN AGRICULTURE

Environmental Economics and Policy,

APPROACHES TO MEASURING CONSUMER BENEFITS FROM FOOD SAFETY

Food safety, consumer benefits, cost/benefit analysis, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Food Security and Poverty,

WILL FARMERS USE SAFER PESTICIDES?

Virtually all technology adoption studies are conducted ex post, yet policy makers often need to assess the likely level of adoption before the technology is introduced. This study uses data from a contingent valuation survey of Michigan corn growers to assess what factors would influence the adoption of two safer corn herbicides, one that is not carcinogenic and one that does not leach. Results indicate that price, risk perception, and sources of pest control information are all important. This suggests that public policies designed to change perceptions and improve information dissemination may encourage voluntary use of more environmentally friendly technologies.atrazine, cancer risk, contingent valuation, herbicides, nitrate leaching, public policy, technology adoption, Crop Production/Industries,

Sales Loss Determination in Food Contamination Incidents: An Application to Milk Bans in Hawaii

This article presents a procedure for estimating sales loss following a food contamination incident with application to the case of heptachlor contamination of fresh fluid milk in Oahu, Hawaii in 1982. A major finding is that media coverage following the incident had a significant impact on milk purchases and that negative coverage had a larger effect than positive coverage. This conclusion implies that public statements by producers or government to assure the public of safe food supplies may be ineffective in restoring consumer confidence following the discovery of a food safety problem. American Journal of Agricultural Economics, August, 1988.food contamination, food safety policy, milk demand, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,