Examining Age and Food Irradiation Knowledge as Influential Factors on the Purchase of Irradiated Foods: United States, August 2022

Foodborne illness affects approximately 48 million Americans annually. Food irradiation is a safe and effective way to kill bacteria and extend a product’s shelf life. However, challenges to wider implementation of this technology include consumer hesitancy stemming from misconceptions about safety and lack of knowledge of irradiation’s benefits. Research has shown that consumers are more willing to accept irradiation if informed about its safety. Because of increases in multistate foodborne outbreaks and consumers’ growing concern about and expectation of food safety, it is an opportune time to reconsider irradiation as a food safety tool. Consumer attitudes toward food safety differ by demographic characteristics; however, research on the association of demographic factors with attitudes on food irradiation are limited. Data collected from a survey (n = 1,009) conducted in August 2022 were analyzed to describe the relationship between age and food irradiation knowledge as influential factors to purchase irradiated foods. More than half (56%) of respondents reported that learning more about irradiation would likely influence purchasing decisions, and older adults were more knowledgeable about food irradiation. These findings suggest that age could be an important factor to consider when tailoring messaging as a prevention strategy around the benefits of food irradiation.