U.S. consumers are losing confidence in the food industry’s handling of farmed animals, according to a new survey conducted by the Center for Food Integrity. Relative to last year, consumers are now more likely to disagree with the statement, “U.S. meat is derived from humanely treated animals.” Consumers tend to agree with the statement, “I would support a law in my state to ensure the humane treatment of farm animals.”

(Response scale for questions 0 = strongly disagree, 10= strongly agree)

Food Safety & Consumer Concerns
Consumers’ main concerns are rising costs and the economy; they are more concerned about food safety than the war in Iraq. They feel that farmers/producers, food companies, and processors are the most responsible for the safety of their food. Trust in food safety overall is decreasing, according to these results.

• I am confident in the safety of the food I eat. (mean: 5.70)
• Government food safety agencies are doing a good job ensuring the safety of the food we eat. (mean: 4.68)
• I trust food produced in the U.S. more than I trust food produced outside the U.S. (mean: 7.17)
• Today’s food supply is safer than it was when I was growing up. (mean: 4.40)

Humane Treatment of Animals
Farmer/producer organizations can strengthen consumer trust in the humane treatment of farm animals by demonstrating that producers share their values and proving that the farmers and producers are doing what they say.

• If farm animals are treated decently and humanely, I have no problem consuming meat, milk, and eggs. (mean: 7.41)
• U.S. meat is derived from humanely treated animals. (mean: 4.80)

Sustainability There is significant opportunity to define sustainability in a balanced fashion as it pertains to the contemporary food system. Significant work needs to be done to better understand the drivers and implications of granting and revoking social license to groups within the contemporary food system.

• I care about sustainability, but price is more important in making purchasing decisions. (mean: 6.08)
• I try to balance price and sustainability. I am concerned about sustainability, but I want to make sure if I pay more it has a real impact. (mean: 5.76)
• I don’t believe my purchasing decisions have any impact on sustainability. I make my decision based on price. (mean: 5.40)
• I make my food purchasing decisions based primarily on how sustainable I believe the product is, regardless of price. (mean: 4.74)

Economics
Consumer concern regarding increasing food prices and economics in general has increased dramatically.

• With the increase in food prices, we tend to eat out less than one year ago. (mean: 6.77)
• With the increase in food prices, I am more likely to buy less expensive cuts of meat. (mean: 6.37)
• With the increase in food prices, I buy more canned fruits and vegetables instead of fresh. (mean: 4.60)
• U.S. food is amongst the most affordable in the world today. (mean: 5.26)
• I make a special effort to buy items produced in the United States. (mean: 6.38)
• Food prices are a greater concern to me now than they were a year ago. (mean: 7.77)