Most consumers doubt food is safe
10 February 1999
Most consumers doubt food is safe
By FWi staff
ALMOST 60% of consumers are unsure whether the food they buy is safe to eat, according to a survey published today (Wednesday).
The survey, by the London-based research firm Mintel International, also found that more than three-quarters of shoppers want genetically-modified food to be labelled.
Respondents were asked whether they agreed or disagreed with a statement designed to establish overall levels of confidence in food safety.
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Almost six out of ten respondents supported the notion that “you can never be sure that the food you buy nowadays is safe to eat”.
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But the fact that BSE was not most mentioned suggests that public confidence in beef has increased somewhat since the BSE crisis, say the reports authors.
GM foods were of concern to 36% of consumers and 78% of consumers agreed that GM foods should be clearly labelled.
This reflects that the public has a strong urge to affirm their desire to exercise a right to clear information on which to make a proper choice, says the report.
The findings indicate that biotechnology companies may still encounter tough opposition from the public as far as the adoption of GM food is concerned.
In Mintels view, the publics attitude to food is significantly coloured by the BSE crisis and media coverage of recent food safety scares.
“Lifestyle factors at work in Britain today are conducive to a rise in food poisoning,” said James McCoy, the reports editor.
“Consumer confidence will continue to be volatile and will remain driven by the latest big food safety scare.
“The issue of genetically modified foods will continue to hit the headlines as we head towards the millennium and is likely to become even more high profile.
“It remains to be seen whether the current concerns of consumers and lobby groups will deter full-scale implementation.”