KANSAS CITY – New consumer research from The Center for Food Integrity (CFI), and FMI – The Food Industry Association, provides details on how consumers perceive gene editing in food and agriculture and what drives their willingness to buy.
The research, “Consumer Acceptance of Gene-Edited Foods,” found that consumers are significantly more open to gene-edited products when the benefits are clear, personal and values-based. When informed about the purpose and process of gene editing purchase intent rose across all categories tested: pork, eggs, tomatoes and bananas.
“This research gives the food industry an evidence-based roadmap for how to communicate about emerging food technologies,” said David Fikes, Executive Director, FMI Foundation. “Consumers want innovation that makes food safer, healthier and more sustainable, but they also want honesty, transparency and shared values behind that innovation.”
Key Findings:
- Context drives comfort. When gene editing was introduced clearly and transparently, acceptance increased across the board, with pork and tomatoes performing above benchmark norms for purchase likelihood.
- Believability rises with benefits.
- Pork: Strongest acceptance is driven by reduced antibiotic use and healthier animals.
- Eggs: Consumers valued stable prices and reliable supply amid disease outbreaks.
- Tomatoes: Highest perceived value is tied to health benefits like maintaining healthy blood pressure.
- Bananas: Reduced food waste and longer shelf life resonate as practical, planet-friendly benefits.
- Trust requires transparency. More than 70% of consumers said they were satisfied with the information provided, which included benefits and the use of gene editing.
- Safety signals. Across all products, FDA approval provided important reassurance, confirming the product is safe and effective.
- Healthy and mainstream consumers both showed high levels of acceptance. Both groups showed openness to gene-edited foods that clearly aligned with their priorities: improved health, reduced waste and animal well-being.
“Gene editing offers incredible promise, but success depends on connecting with consumers and delivering benefits that align with their values,” said Charlie Arnot, CEO of The Center for Food Integrity. “When the food system leads with transparency and shared values, innovation like this can strengthen trust.”
The study, conducted by Circana, surveyed U.S. consumers ages 18–70 through an online predictive research platform that assessed purchase likelihood, believability and willingness to pay. Data was collected in August 2025 from consumers of pork, eggs, tomatoes and bananas. A summary of key research findings is available at https://foodintegrity.org/gene-editing/.
