Food safety: the development of muslim consumerism model of genetically modified food (gmf) and gmf-halalan toyibban framework

• Main Authors: Mohamed, Ismail Risyawati, Mustafar, Mastora, Othman, Siti Norezam, Fisher, Johann
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English
• Published: 2018
• Subjects: T Technology (General)
• Online Access: http://repo.uum.edu.my/26188/1/FINAL%20REPORT%20FRGS.pdf; http://repo.uum.edu.my/26188/

Genetically Modified Food (GMF) has become an integral part of food production in Malaysia. Under the 9th Malaysia Plan more than RM 20000 million was allocated for the biotechnology sector in order to ensure that the agriculture sector in Malaysia, relating to food production and processing will improve significantly through advance biotechnology process. However, is regards to Muslim consumerism there are general concerns on whether or not GMF is halal. Such crucial issue of GMF has become a problem especially for religious and governing authorities whom protect the halalan toyibban aspect of Muslim consumerism. GM food challenges the toyibban criterion of Muslim dietary requirement which emphasized that food must be safe, nutritious and healthy for consumption. This research was conducted in a mix method approach, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative methods. This study was aimed to understand Muslim consumerism and investigate the governance aspect of GMF products. The findings of this research showed that the consumers in Malaysia is far from understanding the mechanics and basic principles of GMF much less understand the benefit or presumed risks associated with consuming it. Due to this the qualitative part of the research was focused on the acceptance and perception of consuming halal processed food instead of GMF. In the end, the final results showed that Muslims consumer and non-Muslim consumers regarded halal food as safe to consume in every way. Future research on GMF consumerism should focus more on exploratory approach to the subject due to its infancy in Malaysia. It will probably take several more years for GMF will become a common topic among Malaysian consumers.