Perceptions of Healthy and Unhealthy Food among People with Migrant Backgrounds in Canada: The Case of Toronto

Abstract

The increasing global population has tremendously impacted food availability and distribution. This has necessitated maximising food production to satisfy the global population. This situation has caused scientific modification of plant and animal species to ensure that more food is produced in a shorter genetic cycle. This approach is criticised as a safety and ethical problem. Governments and other institutions worldwide have expressed concerns about and against what scientists consider healthy food. However, people’s perceptions, knowledge and attitudes towards what is regarded as healthy food in modern global cities have gained great attention in academia and the media. This study explored migrants’ perceptions of healthy or unhealthy food in the Greater Toronto Area (Canada). In this context, the multicultural trait of Toronto, with growing migration and cultural diversity, has influenced the discourse on what is considered healthy and unhealthy food. Most residents in the Greater Toronto Area contend that making genetic modifications to plants and animals makes them unnatural, hence unhealthy. Moreover, a more significant number of residents in Toronto affirm that healthy foods are natural and pure from excess chemical and scientific additives. These viewpoints are mainly due to residents’ religious and cultural backgrounds. In addition, residents in Toronto reveal that the availability of organic foods and markets, increased food affordability and awareness of balanced food would contribute to increased healthy foods in the future. This study recommends that governments, scientific institutions and stakeholders consider peoples’ cultural and religious heritage before defining and recommending healthy food.