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4 °C - the National Sea Grant Library

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irradiated foods look like. After <strong>the</strong> lecture and video, <strong>the</strong> students were given <strong>the</strong> same attitudinal<br />

test (PostTest).<br />

Thirteen attitudinal questions were scored as Strongly Agree, Agree, Uncertain, Disagree, Strongly<br />

Disagree. One question on whe<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong>y would buy irradiated food products was scored as Yes or<br />

No. Analysis of mean variance were evaluated by SAS, 1987.<br />

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION<br />

Attitudinal questions follow with <strong>the</strong> pre and post test results. In all instances <strong>the</strong> mean<br />

attitudes about <strong>the</strong> benefit, safety, and wholesomeness of irradiated foods showed significant<br />

improvement (pcO.01). Students were less concerned about <strong>the</strong> potential of irradiated foods causing<br />

cancer (74% to 27 %); 84% said <strong>the</strong>y would consider buying irradiated foods if available, up from<br />

47% on pretest, and attitudes about <strong>the</strong> ability of irradiation to reduce <strong>the</strong> threat of foodborne illness<br />

were improved fi-om 3 1% to 75%.<br />

Evaluation of older consumers is currently under study to determine if consumer education,<br />

in general, will alter attitudes and affect buying behaviors.<br />

REFERENCES<br />

Josephson, E.S. and Peterson, M.S. 1982. Preservation of Food by Ionizing Radiation,Vol.I,II,III,<br />

Boea Raton, FL:CRC Press, Inc.<br />

Purdue Research Foundation. 1994. The future of food preservation:Irradiation. Department of<br />

Foods and Nutrition, Agricultural Communication Services, Purdue University, West<br />

Lafayette, IN. 47906<br />

Urbain, W. M. 1986. Food Irradiation. academic Press, Inc., Orlando, pp. l-35 1.

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