Consumers’ approach to genetically modified, functional, and organic foods: a critical review

Abstract

This paper reviews the factors affecting consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for genetically modified (GM) and functional foods, as the newly introduced food products in developing countries, and organic foods. Related articles were searched in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Science Direct by using the key words “WTP”, “GM food”, “functional food”, and “organic food” until 2023. Based on the results of the existing studies, the main factors that affect consumers’ WTP for GM foods are “product information and labels”. For functional foods, “displaying a health claim, consumers’ awareness and information, variety, and consumers’ trust” are factors that affect WTP. “Consumers’ satisfaction, product logos and price, rural–urban differences, and socio-demographic variables” are factors affect WTP for organic foods. One factor that strengthens consumers in making good choices is better knowledge and information about GM food. Food producers and stakeholders should take the importance of these factors seriously, as they could affect consumers’ WTP.