Organic Products: Consumption and Knowledge of the Population of the Serra Catarinense

Abstract

The lack of information on food production using pesticides is reflected in the purchase of products that may have deleterious effects due to long-term consumption. Many people do not know how to differentiate organic products from conventional ones. The present study aimed to quantify the number of people who are unaware of the difference between organic and non-organic products. The research was developed through semi-structured interviews with 100 participants from nineteen municipalities in the Serra Catarinense. It is noticed that the evaluated population has little information about organic food and its way of production. From the demographic data, it is learned that the understanding of the difference between organic and conventional products is related to family income and education level, leading to a lack of information. Thus, it is necessary to expand the disclosure with society about the benefits of organic food to health and the environment.