Perceived risks associated with food production are a major concern among European consumers and strongly influence debates on sustainable agricultural practices. In particular, the adoption of precision-bred (gene-edited) crops and the use of alternative pesticide strategies raise questions about consumer acceptance and regulatory alignment. This study examines consumer perceptions of precision-bred watermelon and different pesticide strategies, including conventional pesticides, organic-certified pesticides, and zero-residue pesticides, with the aim of assessing perceived risks and implications for sustainable agriculture in Europe. A discrete choice experiment was conducted with 1,218 consumers from Spain, Germany, and the United Kingdom. The results show that between 22 and 27% of consumers across these countries reject precision-bred watermelon. Concerns related to gene editing and conventional pesticide use frequently overlap among consumers, indicating a broader sensitivity to production-related risks. However, conventional pesticides are generally perceived as riskier than precision breeding technologies. In addition, consumers show a stronger preference for zero-residue pesticides compared to organic-certified alternatives, suggesting that residue-related concerns play a key role in shaping preferences. Overall, acceptance levels of precision-bred crops are relatively similar across countries, despite differences in regulatory frameworks. The findings indicate relatively stronger consumer rejection of conventional pesticide use compared with alternative technological options, suggesting potential opportunities to expand the adoption of precision breeding technologies while addressing consumer risk perceptions and sustainability objectives. From a policy perspective, promoting zero-residue pesticide strategies and reconsidering regulatory approaches to gene editing, particularly within the European Union, may help align legislation with consumer preferences and sustainability goals. This study contributes novel empirical evidence to ongoing discussions on agricultural biotechnology, pesticide reduction, and sustainable food production in Europe.
ABSTRACT Initial risk assessments of genetically modified (GM) crops began in the early 1990 s, focusing on herbicide tolerance and insect resistance, with approvals by the mid-1990s. These assessments compare GM crops to non-GM equivalents, a framework unchanged for over 30 years. Since the first assessment in 1994, over 4,400 evaluations have been conducted across more than 70 countries for both cultivation and food/feed use. To date, none have identified increased risk relative to conventional varieties. This article analyzes three decades of GM crop approvals, highlighting the consistency of scientific assessment processes. Fourteen crops underwent 692 cultivation and 1,891 food-release assessments for herbicide tolerance, while insect resistance accounted for 523 cultivation and 1,396 food-release assessments, largely involving Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). The findings underscore that GM crops are equivalent in risk to conventional varieties, supporting reliance on established international scientific expertise, particularly in resource-constrained regions.
Luíza Favaratto, Savannah Gleim, Stuart J. Smyth· GM crops & food· 0 citations
Cultured meat production represents a revolutionary approach to addressing the mounting challenges of conventional animal agriculture, including environmental degradation, animal welfare concerns, and food security issues. This comprehensive review examines the current state of cultured meat technology, encompassing advances in cellular agriculture, bioprocessing innovations, regulatory frameworks, and consumer acceptance patterns. Recent developments in scaffolding technologies, bioreactor design, and cost reduction strategies have significantly enhanced the commercial viability of cultured meat production. Regulatory approvals in Singapore and the United States mark critical milestones, while European and other global markets continue developing comprehensive frameworks. Consumer acceptance studies reveal regional variations, with North American markets showing particularly strong receptiveness. Environmental life cycle assessments demonstrate potential for substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, land use, and water consumption compared to conventional meat production. However, significant challenges remain in achieving cost competitiveness, scaling production infrastructure, and addressing consumer concerns about food safety and product quality. This review synthesizes current research findings to provide insights into the future trajectory of cultured meat as a sustainable protein alternative.
L. Prakruthi, Hari Krishnan, Deepika Kaushik et al.· Food science and technology...· 0 citations
With growing demand for sustainable protein sources, edible insects have gained attention for their high nutritional value and low environmental impact. However, in rearing systems that use agricultural by-products and organic waste as feed, pesticide residues may enter insects and derived products through the feed chain, posing potential food safety risks. This paper reviews the sources, transfer pathways, and safety concerns of pesticide residues in edible insects, and summarizes recent advances in detection methods. Studies show that residue levels and transformation patterns vary significantly among insect species, while the complex composition of insect samples, especially their lipid and protein contents, complicates analysis. Currently, residue determination mainly relies on improved sample pretreatment combined with laboratory-based analytical techniques, although rapid detection methods also show promise. However, the lack of residue limits specific to edible insects and insufficient toxicological data create substantial uncertainty in risk assessment. Future research should focus on improving analytical methods, studying pesticide metabolites, and establishing a safety evaluation framework to ensure food safety and support sustainable industry development.
Zili Meng, Feifei Wang, Jiacheng Zheng et al.· Critical reviews in food sci...· 0 citations
The Bogofa commune is becoming a dynamic area for market-oriented vegetable production with farmers who use synthetic pesticides. However, synthetic pesticides threaten both the environment and consumer health. There is growing interest in assessing pesticide-use practices among local farmers to raise awareness and promote the safe, responsible, and appropriate use of pesticides in agricultural production. An exploratory survey was conducted from August 2023 to September 2023 to evaluate commercial garden systems in the Bogofa community and determine which commercial garden areas were most representative. The Bogofa community was selected as it drastically increased vegetable production due to significant barriers associated with safe pesticide usage. A sample of 58 farmers was selected based on the amount of production using hectares as a measurement to complete the analysis through Statistica Version 12.5. The plants produced most commonly were tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, cabbage, and cucumbers (94.83 %). Additionally, approximately 11 pesticides from the Directorate of Plant Protection, Control, and Quality (Class II) are available to vegetable farmers, which contain K-Optimal 35 EC (Lambda-cyhalothrin and Acetamiprid) and Decis Forte 100 EC (Deltamethrin) that put them at risk due to their lack of Personal Protective Equipment (94.83 %) and reliance on their regular clothing (91.38 %) and 91.38 % of purchasing pesticides from farmer vendors in local retail outlets. Storage methods vary little; they store them at home-46.55 %-in field shelters-27.59 %-or storage facilities-25.86 %. Moreover, 37.93 % dispose of their remaining pesticide mixes in farms or storage facilities. Of the rest, 27.59 % discarded any unused mixed pesticides along with their empty containers and other debris collected from their farms. Farmers commonly burned empty containers (44.83 %), leave them in the field (39.66 %), or reuse them somewhere else (3.45 %). All these practices combined will increase the amount of leftover pesticide residue on farms, making consumers may increase the risk of environmental contamination and dietary exposure. The findings demonstrate an urgent need for formal training in pesticide selection, application, personal protection, storage, and container disposal.
S. Tuo, Diulyalè Kambou, B. Anguiby et al.· Journal of Applied Horticult...· 0 citations
The widespread use of pesticides in crop protection leads to their release into soil, where their occurrence is shaped by multiple factors, including land use, management practices, and pedoclimatic conditions. However, their long-term behavior and effects on beneficial soil organisms remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated the drivers of pesticide residue occurrence in agricultural soils, their persistence beyond the period in which ≥90% of the applied substance is expected to dissipate from the soil according to regulatory data (DT90), and potential ecotoxicological effects on soil invertebrates. We analyzed 146 substances (127 active ingredients and 19 transformation products) in topsoil from 126 Swiss sites across different land uses (arable and vegetable fields, orchards, and vineyards) using a sensitive analytical method. In addition to pesticide application intensity, pedoclimatic factors - particularly soil organic carbon and 30-year mean precipitation - emerged as key drivers of residue occurrence. Observed field persistence exceeded regulatory maximum field half-lives in about 60% of cases, especially for residues remaining in soil well beyond the DT90 period. While most pesticide concentrations declined to below 10% of the applied amount after this period, several remained above this threshold for extended periods and at concentrations potentially relevant for ecotoxicological effects on soil invertebrates. Among these, difenoconazole, epoxiconazole, and chlorpyrifos contributed most strongly to the potential ecotoxicological impact across land uses, with overall concerns higher in Switzerland than in the European LUCAS soil monitoring survey. Our findings indicate that regulatory prospective persistence estimates frequently fail to capture field longevity and associated potential ecotoxicological effects of multiple pesticides.
Andrea Rösch, V. Reininger, J. Ranke et al.· Environmental Science: Proce...· 0 citations
Plant biostimulants are increasingly applied in agriculture to enhance crop performance and contribute to more sustainable production systems. Their adoption by farmers depends largely on product availability, regulatory accessibility, and demonstrated efficacy under field conditions. Under EU Regulation (EU) 2019/1009, plant biostimulants are defined as products that improve nutrient use efficiency, tolerance to abiotic stress, or crop quality traits, explicitly excluding direct plant protection claims. This paper reviews the current definition of plant biostimulants, outlines the development of the EU legal framework, and summarizes the requirements for market placement within the European Union. Particular attention is given to the coexistence of two regulatory pathways: the harmonized EU framework applicable since June 2022 and pre-existing national regulatory systems. Their respective advantages and limitations are critically assessed in relation to different market strategies. The biostimulants are known to influence plant physiology through multiple mechanisms and their effect may not always be clear when it comes to the distinction between biostimulation and plant protection. The harmonized EU procedure offers obvious advantages for manufacturers targeting multi-country markets and developing innovative products, whereas national pathways may remain more suitable for companies operating in localized markets with established distribution networks. Overall, this analysis highlights a conceptual and regulatory gap between the legally defined functions of biostimulants and their scientifically recognized multifunctionality, with implications for future policy development and product innovation.
E. Matyjaszczyk· Journal of plant diseases an...· 0 citations
A new method for surgically removing training examples from a model reveals that as datasets grow, the link between what a model learns and what it produces dissolves.
MIT News · Artificial Intelligence· news.mit.eduAug 17, 2026
