Assessing food ethics awareness in the Australian population: adapting and validating the food ethics awareness scale across diverse demographics

Purpose The purpose of this study was twofold: to adapt and test the validity and reliability of the Food Ethics Awareness Scale (FEAS) for use in Australia, and building on this validation, to examine how sociodemographic factors shape responses within the Australian sample. Design/methodology/approach Existing tools assess ethical food decision-making but lack a comprehensive measure of overall food ethics awareness. To address this gap, FEAS was translated from Turkish, adapted and subsequently tested through psychometric analyses and hypothesis testing (N = 1,173). Findings Factor analysis confirmed a four-dimensional structure, demonstrating strong validity, including internal consistency, as well as content, face and convergent validity. Discriminant validity was supported through higher awareness levels observed among females, older individuals, highly educated groups, overseas-born populations, ethical eaters and members of Christian and Hindu communities. The findings revealed a partial understanding of food ethics among consumers, with the biotechnological food dimension scoring lower than other dimensions. Additionally, religious communities showed greater resistance to biotech foods, highlighting the significant influence of cultural and ethical factors on food choices. Originality/value As the first validated adaptation of FEAS for Australia’s general population, this research provides a holistic measure of food ethics awareness, helping shape policy, consumer education and ethical food strategies. By validating the tool and analyzing population-level responses, the research confirms its suitability for future studies in Australia and offers initial insights into the sociodemographic aspects of food ethics awareness.