Table 3. Exploratory factor analysis of the ASCIF using principal components factoring with promax rotation.
| Items | Mean (s.e.) | Factor loadingsa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1b | 2c | 3d | 4e | ||
| Q30. I consider that irradiated foods are not harmful to health in the long term. | 3.01 (0.04) | 0.93 | |||
| Q11. I would encourage consumption of irradiated foods. | 2.84 (0.04) | 0.92 | |||
| Q29. I consider that irradiated foods are not harmful to health in the medium term. | 3.12 (0.04) | 0.92 | |||
| Q31. I consider that irradiated foods are not harmful to the health of future generations. | 3.03 (0.05) | 0.92 | |||
| Q13. I would consume irradiated food because I know that these are safe for consumption. | 3.11 (0.05) | 0.86 | |||
| Q12. I would consume irradiated foods, as I know they do not cause health damage. | 3.10 (0.05) | 0.86 | |||
| Q28. I consider that irradiated foods are not harmful to health in the short term. | 3.24(0.04) | 0.84 | |||
| Q15. I approve the consumption of irradiated foods. | 3.16 (0.05) | 0.80 | |||
| Q27. I feel safe about the consumption of irradiated foods. | 3.01 (0.05) | 0.75 | |||
| Q10. I would be willing to pay more for irradiated food. | 2.38 (0.04) | 0.70 | |||
| Q9. I would consume irradiated food. | 3.35 (0.05) | 0.70 | |||
| Q22. I have confidence in buying a food when I read on the label the following information "food treated by irradiation process". | 3.07 (0.05) | 0.69 | |||
| Q24. I would buy irradiated food because I know this process does not make the food radioactive. | 3.48 (0.05) | 0.63 | |||
| Q26. Irradiated foods are nutritional safe. | 3.30 (0.04) | 0.61 | |||
| Q32. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations (FAO) recommend the irradiation of food. | 3.11 (0.03) | 0.59 | |||
| Q2. Food irradiation can be used to reduce microbial load on food. | 4.07 (0.04) | 0.83 | |||
| Q7. Food irradiation can be used to increase shelf life. | 3.98 (0.04) | 0.72 | |||
| Q3. The irradiation of food can be used to inhibit the budding of bulbs, roots and tubers. | 3.58 (0.04) | 0.61 | |||
| Q5. The minimum absorbed dose by the irradiated food must be sufficient to achieve the intended purpose. | 3.77 (0.04) | 0.57 | |||
| Q6. Brazil authorizes the use of food irradiation. | 3.63 (0.03) | 0.56 | |||
| Q25. Irradiated food is microbiologically safe. | 3.50 (0.04) | 0.51 | |||
| Q4. Food irradiation can be used to delay the ripening of fruits. | 3.57 (0.04) | 0.47 | |||
| Q1. Irradiated food is different from radioactive food. | 3.99 (0.05) | 0.45 | |||
| Q19. All foods that undergo irradiation should have this information highlighted on the product label. | 4.53 (0.03) | 0.90 | |||
| Q21. I consider the symbol of Radura important in the labels of irradiated foods. | 4.45 (0.03) | 0.85 | |||
| Q23. The food label should highlight the information of irradiated food. | 4.40 (0.03) | 0.80 | |||
| Q20. I consider that the additional information contained in the labels of irradiated foods is important. | 4.45 (0.03) | 0.78 | |||
| Q16. I consider it necessary to carry out educational campaigns to inform the population about the irradiation of food. | 4.59 (0.03) | 0.60 | |||
| Q14. I know some irradiated food. | 2.58 (0.06) | 0.70 | |||
| Q18. I know Radura, the symbol used to represent irradiated food. | 2.45 (0.06) | 0.60 | |||
| Q8. I consciously consume irradiated food. | 2.40 (0.05) | 0.58 | |||
| Eigenvalues | 13.42 | 3.88 | 1.87 | 1.42 | |
| Variance accounted for (%) | 41.92 | 12.12 | 5.84 | 4.43 | |
a Loadings < 0.40 are omitted.
b Safety of irradiated foods (S).
c Concepts (C).
d Labeling (L).
e Awareness (A).