Food Rejection Research Articles

Children's Self-Reported Reasons for Accepting and Rejecting Foods.

Children’s eating behavior does not necessarily align with dietary recommendations, and there is a need for better understanding the factors underlying their food choices. The aim of this study was to investigate children’s self-reported reasons for accepting and rejecting foods. A questionnaire was developed with reasons based on prior research and in-depth interviews. A set of various food stimuli covering different types was evaluated by 106 girls and 99 boys aged 10–13 years by checking all reasons that apply (CATA) for either accepting or rejecting them. Results showed gender differences among reasons for both food acceptance and rejection, but also in liking and willingness to re-taste the stimuli. The most common reason for food acceptance was good taste in boys and curiosity in girls; for food rejection they were bad taste, bad smell and dislike of appearance in boys and bad taste, bad smell, dislike of appearance and texture in girls. Overall, boys liked the food stimuli more than girls and were more willing to re-taste them. Future research should focus more on the role of sensory properties in both acceptance and rejection, and the potential of children’s curiosity as a driver in tasting foods should be further explored.

Bottlenecks and predictors of coverage and adherence outcomes for a micronutrient powder program in Ethiopia.

A theory‐driven evaluation was conducted to assess performance of a trial to deliver micronutrient powder (MNP) through the Ethiopian Ministry of Health. We adapted an approach to coverage assessment, originally developed to identify bottlenecks in health service delivery, to examine sequential program outcomes and their correlates using cross‐sectional survey data of caregivers of children 6–23 months (N = 1915). Separate multivariable Poisson regression models were used to estimate adjusted risk ratios of conceptually relevant determinants of coverage and adherence. Caregivers of children >11 months were more likely to have received MNP than caregivers of younger infants, yet children 12–17 months were 32% (P < 0.001) and children 18–23 months 38% (P < 0.001) less likely to have been fed MNP in the 14 days preceding the survey than children 6–11 months. Among caregivers who initiated feeding MNP, the most frequently reported reasons for discontinuing use were not obtaining additional supply (36.1%) and perceived child rejection of food with MNP (22.9%). For each additional time a caregiver met with frontline workers in the 3 months preceding the survey, they were 13% more likely to have recently fed MNP (P < 0.001). Caregivers' perception that MNP produced positive changes in children was associated with a 14% increase in the likelihood of having recently fed it (P < 0.001). These results emphasize the importance of counselling for MNP and infant and young child feeding for initial use and the importance of multiple contacts with frontline workers for continued use.

Association Between Feeding Problems and Oral Health Status in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

A number of studies have been made of mealtime behavioral problems and food selectivity in patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), though not from a multidisciplinary perspective where diet and dental care are investigated in children with ASD. In the present study, the parents of 55 children with ASD and 91 children with typical development (TD) between 6 and 18years of age completed the Brief Assessment of Mealtime Behavior in Children (BAMBIC) and a food consumption frequency questionnaire. A pediatric dentist performed an oral exploration of the participants according to the criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO). Food rejection and limited food variety were associated to an increased prevalence of malocclusion and altered Community Periodontal Index scores in children with ASD.

Disgust sensitivity and kosher food preferences among the non-Jewish population in the US

About $200 billion of kosher-certified foods are purchased each year in the US, and companies can pay up to $100,000 to private agencies to certify that their products meet kosher standards. Although kosher certification is ostensibly for the purpose of Jewish religious observance, the vast majority of people who buy kosher food are not Jewish. In this study, we examine the psychological drivers of these purchases among people who are not Jewish. Our study found that people with high levels of contamination disgust sensitivity were more likely to prefer kosher food, which is often marketed in a manner that implies that it has fewer contaminants. The effect of contamination disgust sensitivity on preference for kosher food was partially mediated by perceptions that kosher food rated highly on dimensions related to oral disgust (food rejection) rather than on dimensions related to moral disgust. Moderated mediation was significant for the factor of subjective knowledge, such that the mediation effect only occurred among participants who reported high levels of knowledge about kosher food. Strength of religious affiliation was a marginally significant covariate, as people who reported high levels of affiliation with organized religion had a greater preference for kosher food.

Serious neurological compromise due to vitamin B12 deficiency in infants of vegan and vegetarian mothers

Vitamin B12 deficiency is one of the most serious complications of vegetarianism and its variants. Infants born to vegan mothers are at greater risk of serious deficiency, being more vulnerable to their effects. B12 deficiency is not usually suspected by the pediatrician in healthy infants with neurological symptoms. The manifestations are nonspecific: apathy, rejection of food and loss of maturational patterns. A nutritional history of the mother, mainly if she is vegetarian, to estimate her reserves is fundamental to detect risk of deficiency of this vitamin in the small child. The objective of this work is to describe a group of infants, children of vegan mothers, with B12 deficiency and serious neurological compromise: central apneas, seizures, hypotonia, loss of connection with the environment and maturational patterns. Our purpose is to alert about the importance of supplying vegan mothers with B12 before conception until the end of breastfeeding.

Household food waste management: socio-ecological dimensions

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to estimate respondents’ socio-ecological consciousness (SEC) (knowledge, perceptions, behaviour, habits and feelings) concerning household food waste (HFW) and to identify factors that influence attitude concerning HFW.Design/methodology/approachData were collected through a questionnaire survey addressing to 279 residents in Western Macedonia, Greece. A principal component analysis was primarily applied to provide a manageable set of variables relevant to SEC. These variables were analyzed according to their positive/negative influence in SEC through descriptive statistics. Independent samples t-test analysis was employed to examine factors that influence HFW.FindingsResults show that SEC is formed by three main activities: knowledge, perception and attitude. The survey reveals an inconsistency between existing knowledge and problematic perceptions, while the attitude includes neither harmful nor harmless HFW-related activities. A significant finding is that respondents’ age affects food rejection in different consumption stages in a household.Research limitations/implicationsReliance on self-reported data for HFW that concerns a Greek case study does not allow a generalization of results.Practical implicationsThe authors suggest a campaign plan for local bodies. The aim is to enhance respondents’ perceptual abilities and attitude concerning HFW. In order to raise awareness of students and individuals/households, related campaigns could be implemented by educational institutions and other policymakers.Originality/valueThe survey provides information for HFW, a topic not widely examined in Greece, and it is analyzed for the first time on the basis of SEC theory.

Factors Predicting the Intention of Eating an Insect-Based Product.

This study provides a framework of the factors predicting the intention of eating an insect-based product. As part of the study, a seminar was carried out to explore how the provision of information about ecological, health, and gastronomic aspects of entomophagy would modify consumer beliefs regarding insects as food. Before and after the informative seminar, two questionnaires about sociodemographic attributes and beliefs about the consumption of insects as food were given. Participants were then asked to carry out a sensory evaluation of two identical bread samples, but one was claimed to be supplemented with insect powder. Results showed that perceived behavioral control is the main predictor of the intention, followed by neophobia and personal insect food rejection. The disgust factor significantly decreased after the participants attended the informative seminar. Sensory scores highlighted that participants gave “insect-labelled” samples higher scores for flavor, texture, and overall liking, nevertheless, participants indicated that they were less likely to use the “insect-labelled” bread in the future. Our findings provide a better understanding of insect food rejection behavior and help to predict the willingness to try insect-based products based on some important individual traits and information.

Understanding Mycotoxin Contamination Across the Food Chain in Brazil: Challenges and Opportunities.

Brazil is one of the largest food producers and exporters in the world. In the late 20th century, the European Union program for the harmonization of regulations for contaminants in food, including mycotoxins, led to the examination of mycotoxin contamination in foods at a global level. The problem of the rejection of food by the European Union and other countries became a Brazilian national priority because of economic and food safety aspects. Ochratoxin A in coffee and cocoa and aflatoxins in Brazil nuts are examples of the impact of technical trade barriers on Brazilian foods. To overcome these threats, several strategies were undertaken by Brazilian and international organizations. In this context, the Codex Commission on Food Contaminants (CCCF) has emerged as a forum to discuss with more transparency issues related to mycotoxins, focusing on establishing maximum levels and codes of practices for some commodities and mycotoxins to ensure fair trade and food safety. Our experience in investigating and understanding mycotoxin contamination across the food chains in Brazil has contributed nationally and internationally to providing some answers to these issues.

Selection of new chemicals to be used in conditioned aversion for non-lethal predation control

Globally, native predators and scavengers are threatened through the incidence of illegal poisoning due to increasing human-wildlife conflicts. The use of conditioned taste aversion (CTA) may mitigate such conflicts. CTA is a robust learning paradigm that occurs when animals associate a food with a discomfort induced by a chemical, thereby avoiding that food in subsequent encounters. We reviewed the potential of 167 chemical compounds to be used in CTA, considering effects, margin of safety, accessibility, and detectability. After the review, 15 compounds fulfilled the required characteristics, but only five (thiabendazole, thiram, levamisole, fluconazole and fluralaner) were finally selected to be tested in CTA assays with dogs. Of the tested compounds, thiabendazole, thiram and levamisole caused target food rejection by dogs and reduced the time spent eating during post-conditioning. However, despite being microencapsulated, levamisole appeared to be detectable by dogs, whereas thiram and thiabendazole were not. Fluconazole and fluralaner did not produce any CTA effect. Thiabendazole, thiram and levamisole can therefore induce CTA, and thus are potential candidates as aversive compounds for wildlife management. Thiram is an undetectable, relatively safe and accessible compound that can induce CTA in canids, and opens new possibilities to develop methods of non-lethal predation control.

They took it but didn't eat it: Elementary school students rejection of cafeteria food

They took it but didn't eat it: Elementary school students rejection of cafeteria food

The Good Tastes Study: Associations Between Infants’ Physiological Regulation and Responses to Bitter Green Vegetables (P11-083-19)

ObjectivesInfants are predisposed to reject bitter tastes in order to prevent the ingestion of toxic substances. Thus, some infants may respond to bitter flavors with a physiological response consistent with how they respond to environmental threat, with implications for their behavior. Respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) is an index of parasympathetic regulation of the heart, which decreases in response to challenging or threatening stimuli (i.e., RSA withdrawal), allowing the individual to engage in a fight or flight response (Porges, 2007). Here, we examined whether RSA withdrawal (RSAW) was associated with infants’ behavioral reactions to bitter green vegetable purées. MethodsInfants/toddlers (n = 106; 57 males) tasted a familiar food (rice cereal) and a novel food (kale purees) offered by their caregivers (94% mothers) during a laboratory visit. Trained coders watched video recordings to tally infants’ rejections (e.g., head turns, spoon swatting) and rate their degree of acceptance (4-point scale; 0 = refusal to 3 = anticipation). Three disposable electrodes were placed on the infants’ chest areas prior to feeding to measure heart rate (R-waves). Data were edited and used to calculate RSA values in 15-s epochs using CardioBatch Plus (Brain-Body Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill). RSAW scores were calculated by subtracting average RSA during the kale tasting from average RSA during the familiar food baseline task; higher scores indicated greater RSAW. Multiple regression models were used to examine associations between RSAW and infants’ reactions to the kale (rejections, acceptance) after controlling for child age (months) and the amount of time since they last ate (minutes). ResultsRegression models predicting novel food rejection (F(3,82) = 8.78, R2 = .49) and acceptance (F(3,83) = 9.81, R2 = .51) were significant. After controlling for covariates, greater RSAW was associated with more rejection behaviors (β = .21, P = .03) and less acceptance (β = -.24, P = .01). ConclusionsInfants who demonstrated greater RSAW during the kale feeding also responded to the kale with a behavioral “fight” response—greater rejection of the food. This study provides preliminary evidence that when infants reject bitter green vegetables, their physiological responses reflect a reaction to environmental threat. Funding SourcesThe Sugar Association.

Oral somatosensatory acuity is related to particle size perception in chocolate

Texture affects liking or rejection of many foods for clinically relevant populations and the general public. Phenotypic differences in chemosensation are well documented and influence food choices, but oral touch perception is less understood. Here, we used chocolate as a model food to explore texture perception, specifically grittiness perception. In Experiment 1, the Just Noticeable Difference (JND) for particle size in melted chocolate was ~5 μm in a particle size range commonly found in commercial chocolates; as expected, the JND increased with particle size, with a Weber Fraction of ~0.17. In Experiment 2, individual differences in touch perception were explored: detection and discrimination thresholds for oral point pressure were determined with Von Frey Hairs. Discrimination thresholds varied across individuals, allowing us to separate participants into high and low sensitivity groups. Across all participants, two solid commercial chocolates (with particle sizes of 19 and 26 μm; i.e., just above the JND) were successfully discriminated in a forced-choice task. However, this was driven entirely by individuals with better oral acuity: 17 of 20 of more acute individuals correctly identified the grittier chocolate versus 12 of 24 less acute individuals. This suggests phenotypic differences in oral somatosensation can influence texture perception of foods.

통합학급에서의 긍정적 행동지원이 자폐성 장애유아의 문제행동에 미치는 영향*

The purpose of this study is to find out the effects of positive behavior support (PBS) in integrated classes on the behavior of autistic behavior disorder in young children. One 5-year old autistic behavior disorder child in the integrated class of public kindergarten in Gyeonggi-do was selected. The study was conducted multiple factors mediations based on functional assessment of the target child using "Multiple baseline design across behavior”. Mediations were conducted to provide positive action support including danger and distraction behaviors and intervention in background and prior events about rejection of food, arbitrations of alternative technology professors, follow-up results and long-term support for risk behavior. Mediation was performed after measuring the baseline, and maintenance data was collected 10 days after the end of arbitrations. Research has shown that positive behavior support in integrated classes has had a positive effect on maintaining a reduction in problem behavior after the termination of arbitration and reduction of problem behavior in autistic disorder children. This study is meaningful to demonstrate that positive behavior support in integrated class is an effective strategy for preventing and mediating problem behavior in autistic disorder children.

EFFECT OF DIETARY INCLUSION OF Brosimum alicastrum Swartz LEAF MEAL ON DIARRHEA CONTROL IN PIGLETS

&lt;p&gt;Piglet mortality due to diarrhea is the most important economic loss in the pig industry. However, the use of antibiotics is been banned nowadays and the nutraceutical products are getting importance. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of &lt;em&gt;Brosimum alicastrum Swartz&lt;/em&gt; leaf meal (BLM) in the diet of piglets, as a nutraceutical additive for reducing diarrhea. The study consisted in fed piglets with pre-starter commercial feed under two treatments, either without (T1) or with (T2) inclusion of 20 g/kg BLM. Ninety-eight piglets were used per treatment, with an average initial live weight (LW) of 2.6 ± 0.42 kg. The test lasted from 5 to 27 days-old, the pigs were fed &lt;em&gt;ad libitum&lt;/em&gt;. Offer and rejection of food were recorded daily, as was the presence of diarrhea; live weight was recorded weekly. Data on productive measures were analyzed by T-test; contingency tables, X&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt; tests and calculation of relative risk (RR) for the incidence of diarrhea were applied. Daily weight gain (DWG) in T2 was higher than in T1 (273 ± 0.12 vs 220 ± 0.09 g/day) (P = 0.003). The true incidence rate of diarrhea was 3% and 1% (P &amp;lt;0.001) for T1 and T2 respectively. The cumulative incidence rate of diarrhea was lower (P &amp;lt;0.001) in T2 (25%) than in T1 (54%). The risk of developing diarrhea was higher in T1 (RR = 0.67, 95% CI, 0.39-1.13). The inclusion of BLM in the diet of piglets reduced the incidence of diarrhea and increased DWG.&lt;/p&gt;

A comparison of maternal feeding responses to child fussy eating in low-income food secure and food insecure households

Children learn to like a wide variety of healthy foods through exposure in their early feeding environment. While some children may reject foods during this learning process, parents may perceive persistent refusal as ‘fussy’ or ‘picky’ eating. Low-income parents may provide fussy children with a narrow range of foods that they will like and accept to avoid food and economic waste; inadvertently limiting children's exposure to a variety of healthy foods. This ‘risk aversion’ to food rejection may be particularly salient in food insecure households where resources are further constrained. We aimed to examine if food insecurity modifies the relationship between child fussy eating and parents' food provision and feeding with respect to exposure to a variety of healthy foods. Australian mothers residing in a low-income community (N = 260) completed a cross-sectional survey on their preschool-aged child's ‘food fussiness’, household food insecurity and food exposure practices. Food exposure practices included the home availability of fruit and vegetables, and children's tasting of a variety of fruit and vegetables (food provision); and whether parents prepared alternative meals for their child (feeding). Mothers reporting food insecurity (11%) were less likely to have fruit frequently available in the home compared to mothers reporting food security. Food insecurity moderated the relationship between fussy eating and food exposure practices insofar that food secure mothers were more likely to prepare alternative meals for fussier children. Family resources and child fussy eating behaviours are identified as important contextual factors in food provision and feeding. Findings from the current study suggest that health professionals, researchers and policymakers tailor interventions to consider both the needs of families and child eating characteristics.

Епізоотологічний моніторинг цирковірусної, парвовірусної інфекцій і репродуктивно-респіраторного синдрому свиней на території Південно-Східного регіону України

Porcine circovirus infection (PCV), parvovirus infection of pigs (PVIS), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) at the present time, according to the productive serological monitoring in various countries, including the Russian Federation, are very widespread in pig breeding industrial enterprises. The aim of this study was to conduct serological monitoring for PCV, PVIS and PRRS in the Udmurt Republic taking into account a certain age factor when these diseases begin to appear and develop. Contamination of pig population aged from 28 to 120 days was determined above 50%, indicating that the virus is circulating widely in the study age group of animals. It was found that the level of PCV seropositivity was 49.1%, PRRS level - 47.5%, PVIS varied about 36.3%. During the study of different types of pathological materials in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) viral antigens on PCV and PRRS were revealed, which indicates the associated form of the disease in group of weaning piglets. The most common epizootiological and economic problem in modern small-scale pig breeding is reproductive and neonatal infections of pigs (RNIP). RNIP are mixed viral-bacterial infectious diseases. The main feature of these infections is damage to genital organs of animals resulting in reproductive disorders in sows and buds, as well as reduction in viability of newborn piglets caused by immunodeficiency and depletion from various pneumoniae enteritis. Insufficient knowledge about the nature of zoonotic RNIP and underestimation of their significance for pig breeding have led to their unprecedented spread in the last decade. The zoonotic RNIP in pig farms of Ukraine currently have a viral-bacterial etiology. Traditional approaches to epizootic regulation of these polyetiological infections are ineffective and can not provide a sustainable disease-free status of the Ukrainian pig breeding for zoonotic RNIP. This gives a reason to consider these infectious diseases as emergent. The international experience in issues of elimination of the hotbeds of emergent diseases of polyetiological origin, shows that the development of a plan for antiepizootic measures individually for each farm proves effective. Our analysis of the latest scientific publications shows that reproductive respiratory syndrome, circovirus and parvovirus infection of pigs are considered to be among the viral diseases of economical significance for the industrial pig breeding along with the classical swine fever and Aujeszky's disease. According to the serological monitoring conducted in various countries, including Ukraine, the CVIP are widespread in pig farms of the industrial type. The circovirus infection manifests itself clinically in piglets 2-3 weeks after weaning. Rejection of food, shortness of breath, fever, exhaustion, lag in growth, increased mesenteric lymph nodes, pallor or yellowness of skin shave been observed in sick animals. Among piglets of 7-15 weeks of age, the circovirus infection is manifested as a syndrome of post weaning multiple systemic exhaustion. According to foreign researchers, the incidence in piglets is at the level of 5-10%, sometimes up to 50-70%, and the mortality level reaches 70-80%. The aim of our study was to carry out serological monitoring of CVIP, PVIP and PRRS on the territory of Kharkiv, Zaporizha and Poltava regions of Ukraine, taking into account the factor of age when these diseases begin to manifest itself and spread. A total of 1684 blood samples from pigs of all ages were investigated. Serological blood tests for CVIP and PRRS were conducted with the use of LIA method, for parvovirus infection by the, detection of HIT viral genetic material - by the PCR method of Narvak system. The virological examinations of the clinical and pathological material were carried out according to generally accepted methods using the transfilled lines of cell cultures PK-15, Mark-145. Manifestation of CPE with subsequent identification of the viruses in the immunofluorescence (RIF) reaction using the immunoperoxidase method on the cultural monosharm, HIT (AD, CSF, CVIP-2, PRRS) were also studied. The research was conducted in the P.I. Verbitsky scientific and educational laboratory of genetic-molecular research methods at the Department of Epizootology and Veterinary Management of the KhDZVA. We found that the level of seropositivity of pigs for CVIP was 51.4%, for PRRS 45.8%, while PVIP varies within 34.8%. In the study of various types of pathological materials in the polymerase chain reaction, the viral antigens of the CVIP and PRRS have been detected. This indicates the associated form of the disease in piglets in the growing group.

Food rejection in young children: Validation of the Child Food Rejection Scale in English and cross-cultural examination in the UK and France

Although there are numerous studies examining food rejection (neophobia and pickiness), very few studies have directly compared these particular behaviors in children from different countries. Testing children from different countries is important for future research, as there are clear differences between European countries in early feeding practices and child fruit and vegetable consumption. In the present study we aimed to (i) validate the Child Food Rejection Scale in English and (ii) compare children’s food neophobia and pickiness in the UK and France. To that aim, the Child Food Rejection Scale was first translated into English and its reliability and validity were assessed. Second, food rejection scores in a UK sample (n = 117) and in a French sample (n = 256) were directly compared to examine cross-cultural differences. Results showed that the Child Food Rejection Scale can be successfully used outside France. Moreover results revealed that UK children are less neophobic and picky than French children. These cultural differences can be useful to inform targeted interventions to change food related behaviors in these different populations.

Food responsiveness and food fussiness which can lead to obesity

Rationale: The Food Responsiveness (FR) scale assess children’s general appetite for food or desire to eat. Food Fussiness (FF) scale assess the frequent rejection of both familiar and unfamiliar foods. These eating scales are associated with high energy intake and low nutritional quality. Previous studies have found that FR and FF particularly contribute to the increase in childhood obesity. This study examines the effect of FR, FF eating behaviors on energy intake and some anthropometrical measurements in preschool children.

P134 - Toddler Caregiver Responses to Novel Food Acceptance and Rejection

Background (Background, Rationale, Prior Research, and/or Theory): Parent responses to toddler hunger and satiety influence eating behavior development. However, little is known about parent responses to general food acceptance and rejection. Objective: Describe the associations between parent responses to toddler (12–36 months) food acceptance and rejection, feeding practices, and toddler eating behaviors. Study Design, Setting, Participants, Intervention: In this cross-sectional observation study, parents of toddlers were recruited from the community. Participants recorded one family meal with a new food, in their home, and completed the Toddler Feeding Behavior (Hurley et al., 2013) and the Toddler-Parent Mealtime Behavior (Horodynski et al., 2008) questionnaires. Outcome Measures and Analysis: Trained coders identified eight parent responses (i.e. reward, validate, encourage, non-judgment, coercion, indulge, punish, model) following toddler food acceptance (i.e. eating a bite) and rejection (e.g. spitting out, pushing away) episodes. Kruskal Wallis analyses tested differences in the eight parent responses across toddler age groups (12–18 months, 19–24 months, 25–30 months, and 31–36 months). Spearman Rho analyses tested the associations between the eight parent responses and feeding practices and toddler eating behaviors. Results: 40 primarily white (73%) mothers (100%) from middle socioeconomic conditions (75% college educated, 70% earn >$50,000) participated. Parent use of rewards (P = .01), validations (P < .01), and modeling (P = .03) differed by toddler age. Reward responses were related to parent centered feeding (r = .32, P < .05) and to toddler picky eating (r = -.36, P < .05). Validating responses were related to parent socialization at meals (r = .32, P < .05). Coercive responses were related to TV watching during meals (r = .44, P < .01). Toddler food rejection was related to reward responses (r = -.45, P < .01), coercive responses (r = .47, P < .01), parent centered feeding (r = -.38, P < .05), forceful feeding (r = .40, P < .05), and toddler picky eating (r = .55, P < .001). Conclusions and Implications. Parent responses to toddler food acceptance and rejection were related to feeding practices and toddler eating behaviors. Research should determine whether changes in parent responses may influence toddler eating behaviors. Funding: University of Houston College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.

Social representations of genetically modified foods and public willingness to consume such foods in Taiwan.

Genetically modified (GM) foods have received substantial attention in recent years for being associated with unnaturalness, untrustworthiness, moral considerations, uncertainty, unhealthiness, and risks. This study highlighted the relevance of how social representations of genetically modified (GM) foods influence the Taiwanese public's willingness to consume GM foods. Moderated regression analysis results revealed that the social representation dimensions of adherence to technology and food as a necessity positively influenced the public's willingness to consume GM foods; however, the dimension of resistance to and suspicion of novelties had a negative influence. Food technology neophobia played a role in predicting people's willingness to consume GM foods and exerted moderating effects to enhance the negative relationship between the respondents' resistance to and suspicion of novelties and their willingness to consume GM foods. This neophobia also changed the positive relationship between food as a necessity and willingness to consume GM foods into negative. One-way ANOVA results revealed that food technology neophobia influences the public's specific social representations of GM foods, personal domain-specific innovativeness, and willingness to consume GM foods. Innovations in the food industry exhibit a high market failure rate partially because of the phenomenon known as food technology neophobia, which refers to rejection of new or unfamiliar foods. The findings of this empirical study can facilitate the development of a clearer understanding of people's acceptance and usage of emerging technologies applied in the innovation of food products in Taiwan. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.