LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction
This chapter was discussed about the overview of organic foods purchase intention that might affect purchasing of organic food among ASTRO staffs. In order to identify why consumers purchase the organic foods, research come out with a few factors that really influence the consumers to purchase the organic foods. The factors such as consumer attitude, environmental consciousness, safety and health aspect, knowledge and quality of organic foods will influence the purchase intention among ASTRO staffs. Besides that, demographic characteristic will support to identify what type of ASTRO staffs who purchase organic foods in their daily life. Moreover, the type of organic foods that most likely purchased
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Therefore, the ASTRO staffs purchasing intention might depend on their attitude towards the buying of organic food.
2.3 Environmental consciousness According to Hughner et al, (2007) in studying the reason for organic food purchases, a majority of studies have attributes the purchase organic food to consumers’ environmental attitudes and concerns. The use of chemical and hazardous substances showed an increase, particularly in the agricultural sector based on the 9th Malaysia Plan (2006-2010), chapter 22. The quantity of fertilizers used increased about 1.8 million tones within 3 years which is from 2.2 million tones in 2001 to 4.0 million tones in 2004. In order to reduce the high usage of chemicals and hazardous substances, government has introduced better farming training through Skim Akreditasi Ladang Malaysia (SLAM) and Skim Organik Malaysia (SOM).
According to Harper & Makatouni, (2002), an ethical or consumer is ecologically and purchase products that are environmental friendly and not harmful to the environment or society. This shows that environmental friendly products that produce won’t give any negative affect to environment such as air pollution, land pollution and etc. According Millock et al. (2004) claimed that good environment and animal welfare attitudes influence organic food choice to a lesser extent that the attitudes towards taste, freshness and health aspects of organic food. These findings suggest that organic buyers also
The articles “Organic foods: Are they safer? More nutritious?”, by the Mayo Clinic Staff and “Is organic better for your health? A look at milk, meat, eggs, produce and fish”, by Tamer Haspel, delve into whether or not the products produced by organic farming are more nutritious and or safer than those produced by conventional farming.
Today’s society where people are more informed and health conscientious; the sales of organic and natural foods has shown an
Over the last few years, awareness of organic food has risen. Due to this, the demand for organic food is a factor which is influencing the farmers to switch to use this technique, and it is being sold in specialty stores and conventional supermarkets. Organic products contain numerous marketing claims that it is healthier, it offers more value, and the farming is more environmentally friendly than traditional foods, so, how does one determine if organic is the way to go? Some argue that there is evidence that supports and demonstrates why organic foods and farming are better overall, while others insist that conventional foods and agriculture can offer the same benefits as going organic. There is no right or wrong answer. Within this
Sales of organic food have risen steadily over the past couple of years, reaching nearly $30 billion in 2011, or 4.2% of all U.S. food and beverage sales, (Adams). Many people believe that organic foods are ultimately the better choice when it comes to health due to the absence of pesticides and hormones. But other people—especially those whose food budgets may be more defined—wonder if organic food is really worth the inflated price tag. Despite the price, Organic foods are worth producing and consuming rather than conventional foods due to the immense benefits they provide.
But as consumers are only willing to pay the extra money for organic food mainly for any health benefits they associate with organic foods, such health benefits should be significant enough to warrant this inflated price. Studies demonstrate that the advantages of organic food are relatively small and even some disadvantages were found. Although correlations were found between a few health benefits and eating organically (reduced risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in subjects who eat organic foods more and mitigation of allergic dermatitis from consuming organic dairy products), these correlations were the only ones found amongst hundreds
Author, Steven Shapin, in his essay, “What Are You Buying When You Buy Organic,” presents controversy reasons to buying organic food. Shapin’s purpose includes defending his point that organic food proves not always having the best results. He justifies his approach to buying organic foods with an argumentative appeal to the necessity of buying these products. Shapin questions the value of organic foods in larger organizations by targeting the industry, health, and the virtue.
Organic farming began just as the effects of the Great Depression waned in the United States, and has seen a dramatic increase in popularity most recently (AG). The sales of organic food increased by about twenty percent a year throughout the nineteen nineties (Marcus). That is over ten times the rate of increase that conventional food experienced during the same period of time (Harris). As recently as twenty eleven, about seventy-eight percent of American families admitted to routinely purchasing organic food (Organic). Organic food sales jumped from three point five million in nineteen ninety-seven, to thirty-one million in twenty eleven (Organic). However, while organic food may seem better than conventional food, numerous studies have shown that it is not distinguishably more healthful, nutritious, palatable, or safe.
The new idea of organic food involved many farmers in agricultural practices to learn about grow better products and livestock, farmers were making conclusions and trying to learn the most possible for be part of the new success. “Their goals were to grow the most nutritious food possible, while protecting the soil for future generations,”
Organics buy organically grown food as a way to maintain their personal health and for food safety reasons.
With the world’s population continuing to increase, the demand for food is higher than ever. This increase in food demand also calls for more efficient ways of growing and providing the food. Two methods that are very controversial are the organic and conventional method. While many people support the organic method because of its known benefits, others feel that it is an over inflated industry that cheats consumers out of their money. But recently many studies have disproved those critics. These studies prove that Organic food is a better choice than conventional because it is better for the environment, avoids the use of chemicals, and is generally more beneficial.
Thesis: Choosing to purchase and consume organic food is a smart and healthy choice for you and your family.
Recently a trend revolving around organic and health foods has been quickly emerging as society becomes more concerned about health issues than ever before. The harm associated with large-scale food productions is beginning to be realized, as consumers are now more involved in knowing about what is in the products that they consume. Consumer attitudes related to large-scale food productions and health issues are controlled by various factors. However, whether or not health food and organic foods are the solution to solve the health issues branching from large-scale food is the big question.
Barlow, B., Hemminger, L., and Schlegel, B. (2006). Is Organic Food Worth the Extra Cost? Retrieved from Environmental Health Perspectives website: http://www.ehponline.org/docs/2006/114-2/ss.html
The third study also indicates the existence of possible external variables given the location in which it was conducted. According to the text, “the researchers stood outside a small organic specialty shop and interviewed 100 customers as they exited the shop” (pg. 63). Based on the choice of location, it can be argued that the results of this study mainly coincide with the preferences of consumers with a high interest in organic products.