(P05-012-23) What’s on Your Plate? Endocrine- Disrupting Food Alternatives and Perceptions of Food Safety

Objectives: Endocrine disruptors in food products can have adverse impacts on health including disruptions in reproductive functions, infertility, improper hormone production, endometriosis, menstrual cycle abnormalities, a decreased sperm count, and ovarian cysts. Consumer awareness of food product safety is limited and little research has documented consumer awareness specifically related to endocrine-disrupting products, potential alternatives, and health impacts. The purpose of this study was to further investigate perceptions related to food choice options that could have endocrine-disrupting implications.

Methods: An online (35 question) Qualtrics Survey was distributed widely to English-speaking adults without any special diets. The survey asked consumers to select from a variety of food product images based on preference and separately on health. Participants were also queried with regards to their knowledge of food safety, endocrine disrupting compounds, and trust in institutions to regulate food quality. Participants rated importance of health, price, preference and other factors to accessing food items with/without known endocrine-disrupting compounds. Demographic information was also collected, but the survey was otherwise anonymous.

Results: Preliminary data suggests that the majority of consumers who responded to the survey are not aware of the impact of endocrine-disrupting compounds. Two-thirds of respondents have not heard of the most common endocrine-disrupting compounds, and likewise most do not think these products will impact their fertility or reproductive health. Most respondents indicate food choice is guided first by price, followed by preference and access. When asked who is responsible for reducing the use of substances harmful for human health and the environment in our society, almost all respondents felt the manufacturers, legislators, environmental
organizations and consumers were all responsible.

Conclusions: In conclusion, this demonstrates there is a general lack of public understanding of the role and impact of endocrine-disrupting compounds in our food. Awareness and advocacy to improve both consumer knowledge and food policy standards are imperative.

Funding Sources: Fairfield University, INSPIRE Student Research Award