Consumers Trust Activists And Grocers For Food Information
This 2007 survey indicated that U.S. consumers have more confidence in activists and retail grocers than either the government or food companies, when it comes to providing information about food choices.
Nearly two-thirds (64%) of consumers say that advocates and activists have consumers’ best interest in mind with respect to providing information about food choices. Potential thought leaders in the industry (termed “influentials”) were polled and 74% of these individuals felt similarly.
Groups that were addressed in the survey included the following (Percentages are the proportion of consumers that think the sources has their best interest in mind):
- Advocates and activists (64%)
- Retail grocers (62%)
- Food manufacturers (53%)
- U.S. government (47%)
- Fast food companies (26%)
Half (50%) of consumers are confident that food safety regulations are adequate, compared with confidence in the safety of other products such as automobiles (83%), consumer electronics (80%), clothing (77%), pharmaceuticals (51%), and toys (37%).
Just under half (46%) of U.S. consumers feel there are adequate food safety regulations for meat, 48% for seafood, 65% for bread, cereals and grains, 58% for fruits and vegetables, and 57% for dairy products.