Public Perception and Acceptance of Nanotechnology in Food Systems

Public perceptions of nanotechnology in food systems are shaped by a complex interplay of knowledge, values and trust in governing institutions. Lay understanding often relies on heuristic cues in the absence of direct experience with nano-enabled food products. Environmental attitudes, ethical concerns and perceived proximity of nanomaterials to the consumer drive judgements of benefit and risk. Trust in scientists, regulators and industry actors acts as a moderating influence on acceptance, with higher confidence in information sources tending to reduce perceived uncertainty. Across regions, awareness levels vary widely, but a consistent theme is the desire for transparent communication and clear labelling. Consumers are more receptive to applications that promise distinct advantages—such as improved packaging or enhanced nutritional value—than to those involving direct ingestion of engineered nanoparticles. Effective governance and engagement strategies emphasise co-development of information materials, context-sensitive risk communication and targeted outreach through trusted channels. These approaches aim to bridge knowledge gaps, address ethical considerations and ultimately foster informed acceptance of nanotechnology in agri-food supply chains.

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Public Perception and Acceptance of Nanotechnology in Food Systems publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in public perception and acceptance of nanotechnology in food systems across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Nanotechnology: The manipulation and application of materials at the nanoscale, typically between 1 and 100 nanometres, to create novel properties or functions.

Risk perception: An individual’s judgement of the probability and severity of potential hazards associated with a technology or product.

Trust actor: An institution or stakeholder, such as scientists, regulators or industry, perceived by the public as a credible source of information or governance.

Agri-food system: The integrated network encompassing production, processing, distribution and consumption of food.

References

1. Do environmental attitudes affect public acceptance of key enabling technologies? Assessing the influence of environmental awareness and trust on public perceptions about nanotechnology. Journal of Cleaner Production (2023).
2. Public Awareness of Nanotechnology and Its Implications for Health in Jordan. Sustainability (2022).
3. Who do UK consumers trust for information about nanotechnology?. Food Policy (2018).