U.S. Consumers More Concerned About Food Safety Than War In Iraq Or Climate Change
U.S. consumers are more concerned about the safety of the food they eat than they are about the war in Iraq or global warming, according to the Center for Food Integrity’s (CFI) annual Consumer Trust Survey. When asked about personal concern for a list of food-related issues, humane treatment of farm animals ranks comparatively low.
Consumers generally lack confidence in the current role of government agencies in ensuring the safety of the food they eat. Fewer than 20% of consumers feel government agencies are doing a good job in this area.
Consumers also ranked their level of concern about a series of life events and current situations. The mean rankings were as follows, with food safety ranking relatively high and treating farm animals humanely ranking low, compared to the other issues listed. (Scale: 0 = no concern; 10 = very concerned):
- Rising energy costs (8.37)
- The U.S. economy (8.25)
- Rising Cost of Food (8.09)
- Rising Health Care Costs (7.73)
- Personal Financial Situation (7.51)
- Food Safety (7.03)
- The War in Iraq (6.97)
- Illegal Immigrants Working in the Food System (5.81)
- Global Warming (5.79)
- Humane Treatment of Farm Animals (5.66)
- The Impact of Immigrants Who are in the Country Legally Working in the Food System (4.16)