Food Safety Concerns Changing Shopping Habits

In this survey of more than 400 consumers and 73 food companies, almost half of consumer respondents said they changed shopping patterns because of food safety. Consumers expressed a desire to see evidence of some kind of independent safety certification process on product labels. More than 30% are willing to pay a premium for products with such a label, although consumers are more interested in traceability than third-party certification.

With respect to sustainability issues, consumers believe the most important attributes are safer and healthier foods, although recycling, social justice, "green" practices, economic viability, and animal welfare also resonated as important issues.

Other consumer concerns include those stemming from domestic meat products as well as those from any products in general that come from international sources.