Consumer concern about food safety seems to be down, according toa new surveyby consulting firm Deloitte & Touche. In a nationwide survey of 1,102 consumers done in March, 65% said they were concerned about the quality of their food, a 17% decrease from 2008. Other responses from the survey include:
• 51% say country-of-origin labeling is helpful
• 54% say they often or always read the Nutrition Facts label panel
• 53% say they often or always read the list of ingredients on an unfamiliar product, up from 50% in 2008
• Only 45% say they understand at least three-quarters of those ingredients
“Although our survey still shows health and safety as the top two concerns facing Americans, the percentages have dropped and consumers are using their increased knowledge of food products to raise concerns around over-processed foods,” says Pat Conroy, Deloitte’s vice chairman and U.S. consumer products practice leader.
