Government not trusted on food safety

08 February 1999

Government not trusted on food safety

MOST of the public do not trust the government to tell the truth about food safety issues such as beef on the bone or genetically modified food, according to a MORI survey for the Cabinet Office.

The survey finds that scientists are trusted more than ministers.

The poll was commissioned by the Better Regulation Task Force, headed by Lord Haskins as part of a debate inside the government on risk management.

The poll found that 86% of those polled said they had confidence in the food they ate, but specific questions revealed anxieties.

Some 69% were afraid of the long-term affects of chemicals in foods, 57% were concerned about the production of genetically modified food, 54% were concerned about BSE and 51% were worried about food poisoning generally.

• The Times 08/02/99 page 2
  
• The Daily Telegraph 08/02/99 page 2