PUBLIC WILLING TO PAY FOR INCREASED FOOD SAFETY
Source of Article: Northwest Food Processors Association Food Safety News
May 2, 2006
Americans are willing to pay more to half the incidence of foodborne diseases, according to a new survey. The survey also indicates that the public has a higher trust in domestically-produced foods compared to imports. The survey, by the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research at Michigan State University (MSU), takes the pulse of a public at a time when regulatory action is focused on increasing the safety of the food chain.
The survey was conducted on behalf of the Food Safety Policy Center.
The survey found that 84 percent of respondents said they ed be willing to add $270 a year to their food bill, the equivalent of paying five percent more if foodborne diseases could be reduced by 50 percent. About 38 percent identifi ed the federal government most as the group they expect to keep food safe. Most 88 percent say they think government agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture are capable of keeping food safe.
Articles are excerpts or summaries from sources named. NWFPA FOOD SAFETY NEWS ? MAY 2 6
Only 49 percent say they feel the government has enough resources
to do the job properly.
Craig Harris, an MSU sociologist and study director of the Food
Safety Policy Center said the survey sought to represent the juggling
of values Americans face in food. Confi dence and optimism
sometimes outpace statistical reality when it comes to perception of
how widespread foodborne illness is, Harris said. Trust in federal
government is high ? but half of Americans say they don't want
the government to ban foods that may be unsafe, but also hold high
value.
Harris points to foods like raw milk, fresh cheese or unpasteurized
apple cider as examples of national disagreement. In general:
63 percent say they are very or fairly concerned about the safety of the food they eat
54 percent say they think about food safety when grocery shopping
46 percent say they consider it when eating out at a restaurant.
96 percent feel they trust themselves to ensure foods they eat are safe. But when asked if they trust others to handle their food, the confidence rate drops to 62 percent. Despite the rate of self-confi dence, only 58
percent say they know a lot or quite a bit about food safety
The majority of respondents stated that the current number of foodborne related illnesses and deaths are
unacceptable:
73 percent said that the percentage of foodborne illnesses is unacceptable
60 percent said that the number of hospitalizations due to foodborne diseases is unacceptable
68 percent stated that the number of deaths due to foodborne diseases is unacceptable.
The public is most concerned about pesticide and chemical residues and foodborne illness. About half of the respondents are concerned with antibiotics or hormone use and additives or preservatives in foods:
About 50 percent said they are very or fairly concerned about antibiotics and hormones, with 28 percent very concerned and, 41 percent not concerned.
About 70 percent are very or fairly concerned about pesticide and chemical residues, with 39 saying they are very concerned and only 22 per cent not concerned.
About 52 per cent are very or fairly concerned about additives and preservatives, with 24 percent very concerned and 38 percent not concerned.
About 95 percent indicate that imported foods should be subjected to the same inspection processes as domestically produced foods, with 56 percent in strongly agreement.
About 71 percent disagree that imported foods are as safe as domestic foods
Source of Article: Northwest Food Processors Association Food Safety News
May 2, 2006
Americans are willing to pay more to half the incidence of foodborne diseases, according to a new survey. The survey also indicates that the public has a higher trust in domestically-produced foods compared to imports. The survey, by the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research at Michigan State University (MSU), takes the pulse of a public at a time when regulatory action is focused on increasing the safety of the food chain.
The survey was conducted on behalf of the Food Safety Policy Center.
The survey found that 84 percent of respondents said they ed be willing to add $270 a year to their food bill, the equivalent of paying five percent more if foodborne diseases could be reduced by 50 percent. About 38 percent identifi ed the federal government most as the group they expect to keep food safe. Most 88 percent say they think government agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture are capable of keeping food safe.
Articles are excerpts or summaries from sources named. NWFPA FOOD SAFETY NEWS ? MAY 2 6
Only 49 percent say they feel the government has enough resources
to do the job properly.
Craig Harris, an MSU sociologist and study director of the Food
Safety Policy Center said the survey sought to represent the juggling
of values Americans face in food. Confi dence and optimism
sometimes outpace statistical reality when it comes to perception of
how widespread foodborne illness is, Harris said. Trust in federal
government is high ? but half of Americans say they don't want
the government to ban foods that may be unsafe, but also hold high
value.
Harris points to foods like raw milk, fresh cheese or unpasteurized
apple cider as examples of national disagreement. In general:
63 percent say they are very or fairly concerned about the safety of the food they eat
54 percent say they think about food safety when grocery shopping
46 percent say they consider it when eating out at a restaurant.
96 percent feel they trust themselves to ensure foods they eat are safe. But when asked if they trust others to handle their food, the confidence rate drops to 62 percent. Despite the rate of self-confi dence, only 58
percent say they know a lot or quite a bit about food safety
The majority of respondents stated that the current number of foodborne related illnesses and deaths are
unacceptable:
73 percent said that the percentage of foodborne illnesses is unacceptable
60 percent said that the number of hospitalizations due to foodborne diseases is unacceptable
68 percent stated that the number of deaths due to foodborne diseases is unacceptable.
The public is most concerned about pesticide and chemical residues and foodborne illness. About half of the respondents are concerned with antibiotics or hormone use and additives or preservatives in foods:
About 50 percent said they are very or fairly concerned about antibiotics and hormones, with 28 percent very concerned and, 41 percent not concerned.
About 70 percent are very or fairly concerned about pesticide and chemical residues, with 39 saying they are very concerned and only 22 per cent not concerned.
About 52 per cent are very or fairly concerned about additives and preservatives, with 24 percent very concerned and 38 percent not concerned.
About 95 percent indicate that imported foods should be subjected to the same inspection processes as domestically produced foods, with 56 percent in strongly agreement.
About 71 percent disagree that imported foods are as safe as domestic foods