69% of respondents in Cyprus have a negative view of novel foods, compared to 21% who express a positive view, while 77% say they do not feel sufficiently informed about new foods, ingredients, and crops, according to a special Eurobarometer survey by the European Commission. At the EU level, 51% express a negative opinion and 39% a positive one, while 72% say they do not feel sufficiently informed.
This skepticism is also reflected in the willingness to purchase new food products, with 78% of Cypriot respondents stating that they would not be willing to buy a food product containing an ingredient produced using microorganisms, such as protein similar to that found in eggs but produced without the use of animals, even if the product met EU safety standards and was clearly labeled. The corresponding percentage in the EU is 54%.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
Of the four types of innovative foods presented in the survey, plant-based protein products produced using new methods are the most widely accepted in Cyprus, with 28% stating they would feel comfortable consuming them, compared to 47% in the EU. For products fermented using microorganisms, the corresponding percentage is 26% in Cyprus and 46% in the EU. For products derived from cultured animal cells, the percentages are 18% and 34%, respectively.
Acceptance of fruits and vegetables from crops adapted to drought, pests, or extreme weather conditions is particularly low in Cyprus. Only 21% say they would feel comfortable consuming them, compared to 50% in the EU, while 75% in Cyprus and 46% in the EU say they would not feel comfortable.
As the most significant concern before consuming novel foods, 38% of respondents in Cyprus cite potential long-term health effects that are not yet known, compared to 43% in the EU. This is followed by the perception that the products are overly processed or unnatural, with 40% in Cyprus and 35% in the EU. The lack of clear information on how these products are produced, their composition, and their origin is cited by 32% in Cyprus and 33% in the EU, while a lack of trust in the companies that produce them is cited by 30% and 25%, respectively.
Regarding potential benefits, 24% in Cyprus associate innovation with providing new tools and options to farmers and producers, compared to 20% in the EU. Twenty-four percent in Cyprus and 23% in the EU cite the potential for healthier or more nutritious options. In contrast, 14% in Cyprus—compared to 25% in the EU—cite enhanced food security, while 14% and 27%, respectively, cite reduced pressure on natural resources. At the same time, 22% of respondents in Cyprus state that they do not associate innovative foods with any of the potential benefits presented, compared to 12% in the EU.
Transparency and clear labeling emerge as key prerequisites for building trust. Forty-one percent of respondents in Cyprus report that mandatory clear labeling, including information on production methods, composition, and origin, would boost their confidence, compared to 51% in the EU. Approval by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is cited by 40% in Cyprus and 36% in the EU, while 31% and 34%, respectively, prefer the regular publication of findings regarding product safety.
When it comes to seeking reliable information on the safety and environmental impacts of novel foods, 48% in Cyprus cite healthcare professionals, compared to 35% in the EU. Next are national food safety authorities, at 23% in Cyprus and 36% in the EU, as well as independent scientists and the academic community, at 24% and 32%, respectively.
At the same time, 86% in Cyprus and 85% in the EU agree that novel foods should have clear and distinct names and provide transparent information on how they are produced, their composition, and their origin. 82% in Cyprus and 75% in the EU agree that the widespread introduction of innovative foods could threaten culinary traditions and agricultural production, if not regulated and labeled transparently.
Regarding the benefits that would make them more willing to consume innovative foods on a regular basis, 36% in Cyprus responded that none of the benefits presented would influence their attitude, compared to 18% in the EU. Reduced use of pesticides, fertilizers, or antibiotics in production was cited by 26% in Cyprus and 35% in the EU.
The special Eurobarometer survey was conducted in the 27 EU member states from May 26 to June 24, 2026, with 26,456 participants aged 15 and older. In Cyprus, the survey was conducted from May 26 to June 15, 2026, with 502 interviews.
Source: CNA
