A food brand which contains genetically engineered (GE) ingredients but is not labeled as suchwill create an unfavorable image among Chinese consumers, according to a recent survey.

Seventy-one percent of the 600 respondents in the survey, commissioned by Greenpeace and a research institute in Guangzhou-based Zhongshan University, said they would trust a food brand less if it did not declare its GE ingredients. Only 20 percent said their loyalty would remain unchanged.

Carried out in February by Research International, the telephone survey polled 600 ordinary consumers in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou cities.

Thirty-eight percent of the respondents said they cared a lot about GE ingredients in food, while 42 percent showed an attitude of indifference.

Approximately 40 percent of the respondents prefer buying food without GE ingredients, while some 24 percent would choose food with GE ingredients.

Nearly 90 percent of respondents supported establishing a GE food labeling system.

Source: Xinhua