Scots claim to choose healthier diets

Wednesday 1 March 2006

Ref: 07/06

A survey published today shows that more Scots are choosing to eat healthier foods than they were a year ago.

The Food Standards Agency is today publishing its sixth Scottish Consumer Attitudes to Food survey, which reveals that an increasing number of consumers are taking an active interest in the food they eat and their diet.

The key findings in the Scottish survey were:

44% of Scottish respondents claimed to be eating a healthier diet than they were a year ago - an increase from 37% in 2004
an increase in the number of consumers who are aware we should eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables each day - 72% compared with 62% in 2004 and 48% in 2000
a significant increase in the number of consumers who claimed never to eat ready meals - 22% compared to 14% in 2004
a significant increase in the number of consumers who claimed to be eating more fresh fruit, vegetables and salad than they were a year ago¹
an increase generally in the number of consumers who claimed to prepare/cook a meal from raw or fresh ingredients at least once a week since 2003, 87% compared to 82%
an increase in the amount of respondents usually looking for information on salt, sugar and fat content on food labels²

FSA Scotland Director George Paterson said: 'It is encouraging to see that Scottish consumers appear to have been making improvements in their diet. An increase in consumers checking food labels for salt content is also heartening, especially given the Agency's salt campaign.

'These are just some of the key facts that reflect how health-conscious people in Scotland are becoming. But more changes still need to be made.

'The Food Standards Agency in Scotland, working in partnership with the Scottish Executive and other organisations, is dedicated to providing a range of reliable and practical advice on all aspects of food, diet and health which supports the wider health improvement agenda. Consumers can get more information from the FSA's various websites, which are packed full of helpful tips and the latest food advice.'

Other key trends from the 2005 survey include:

a decline in consumer concern over dairy foods³
an increase in consumer concern about hygiene in fast food outlets⁴
an increase in consumer concern about the amount of salt, fat and sugar in food⁵
an increase in consumer confidence in the FSA and an increase in those who rated the FSA as an organisation they could trust⁶

Notes to editors

1. Those saying they eat more fruit has increased to 46%, a rise of 14% from 2004. Those saying they eat more vegetables/salad has risen by 9% to 41%.
2. Salt: 51% in 2005 compared to 45% in 2004 and 19% in 2000; Fat: 63% in 2005 compared to 54% in 2004 and 39% in 2000; Sugar: 48% in 2005 compared to 43% in 2004 and 25% in 2000.
3. 17%, a decrease of 5% from 2004.
4. 29% in 2005, up 9% from 2004.
5. Salt: 62%, up 4% from 2004; Fat: 56%, up 6% from 2004; Sugar: 54%, up 4% from 2004.
6. Consumer confidence in the role played by the FSA in protecting health with regards to food safety: 64% in 2005 were fairly or very confident about the Agency's role, compared to 56% in 2004; Trust: 59% gave a positive rating, compared to 52% in 2004.

The Consumer Attitudes Survey is conducted annually by the Food Standards Agency to provide a better understanding of attitudes, knowledge, behaviour, and awareness among the public with regards to food standards and safety. The first study, in 2000 (published January 2001) enabled benchmarks to be set, and each additional study allows the Agency to track changes in behaviour and attitude, and measure trends. Copies of the 2005 Scottish and UK Consumer Attitudes Surveys are available from the link below.

TNS conducted over 3,000 interviews (713 in Scotland) among a representative sample of the UK population. Interviews were conducted face-to-face in people's homes between 5 September and 16 October 2005.

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Scots claim to choose healthier diets

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