Today, we are well aware that we’re living in an age of all things in mass – mass stores, mass supplies, and even mass farmed food production. As the public debate about the pros and cons of genetically modified foods continues, there is a rising concern about the lack of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) knowledge by consumers.
GMOs have specific changes made to their DNA by genetic engineering techniques. Modifying the genetic make up of food (corn, soy, and meat) allows farmers to produce more products in a shorter amount of time and at a larger size (meaning the soy bean is actually larger because of the genetic modification).
At first glance, this seems like a great idea. It shortens production time, puts more money in the farmers’ pockets while accommodating our growing population. However, the unnatural production of this process seems to be the main point of contention among concerned consumers.
Today’s consumers are demanding more education not only about how food arrives on their plates, but what is actually in their food. Perhaps if given the knowledge and complete details about the food they consume, it will simplify decision making and empower consumers to decide for themselves what is healthy and what is not.
That said, it is important to recognize that there has recently been a similar trend in trans-fat food. Study after study has provided consumers with laundry lists of reasons why trans-fatty foods are unhealthy, yet it has been found in almost every processed food for decades. Is the GMO debate merely a trend?
Perhaps it is. If so, it quite possibly creates the perfect opportunity for manufacturers and retailers to capitalize on the existing products that do not contain GMOs. Non-GMO sourced products could piggy-back on this emerging trend and use this as a competitive advantage over GMO products.
Whatever happens in the future of GMO and/or trans-fat products, it’s safe to say there are always budding trends in the food industry. One day eggs are terrible for cholesterol and then next they are the leading fighter of heart disease. Whatever the case may be, retailers and manufacturers must be able to adapt to various trends and figure out ways to take a potentially negative industry situation and turn it into a competitive advantage.
