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Listen to this siteThursday 22 February 2007
People in Scotland are more concerned about healthy eating than environmental issues, pensions or educational standards, a survey published today shows.
The Food Standards Agency's (FSA) seventh Scottish Consumer Attitudes survey showed many people are taking an interest in food and diet and that the amount of salt, fat and sugar in food remains among the top food issues they are concerned about.
Back to topHealthy eating was a key issue for Scottish respondents. It was fifth in a list of general concerns with a fifth of respondents mentioning it as one of their top three worries (1).
The amount of salt, fat and sugar in food remains among the top food issues the Scottish public is concerned about (2) and foods containing fat and sugar were the types of food that most people said they were trying to reduce or avoid consumption of (27% and 24% respectively).
Concerns about food hygiene were greatest in relation to takeaways, fast food outlets and restaurants/cafes (3).
Almost half of Scotland respondents said they find it difficult to know whether a product is healthy from reading the label. In addition, two-fifths of Scotland respondents find the print on labels hard to read, with nearly one third finding them difficult to understand (4).
When asked directly, almost three fifths claimed to be concerned about food safety issues and, in line with previous years, raw meat dominates concern about particular food types (5).
The proportion of Scottish consumers who are aware that they should eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables each day has remained high at 71% - an increase from 48% in 2000 (6).
In line with previous surveys, consumers in Scotland still tend to look for amounts of fat, salt and sugar above any other information on food labels (7).
George Paterson, Director, FSA Scotland, said: 'It is encouraging that consumers are positive about the reliability of the information they get from the FSA both in terms of food safety and healthy eating and that they are increasingly aware of who we are and what our main focus is – the consumer.
'And while the survey recognises people do have concerns - including those in relation to food hygiene in specific food outlets - the Agency in Scotland is committed to giving consumers clear information to help them make informed choices.
'In November last year we launched our pilot Food Hygiene Information Scheme which covers thousands of outlets across five local authority areas in Scotland. This initiative encourages food outlets in the pilot areas to prominently display 'Pass' or 'Improvement Required' certificates based on the data from their most recent hygiene inspection, so that consumers can make informed decisions about where they choose to eat or buy food.
'The survey also shows that consumers can find it difficult to ascertain whether a product is healthy. In January this year we launched an advertising campaign for our front of pack labelling activity which makes it easier for people to make healthier food choices.
'The advertising campaign reflects the straightforward and easy to use nature of traffic light labelling, with a red light meaning the product is high in fat/saturated fat/sugar or salt, an amber light meaning medium and a green light meaning low.'
Along with tracking awareness of food issues, the 2006 Consumer Attitudes Survey also highlighted rising consumer awareness in Scotland of the FSA and its role in providing clear consumer advice. Key figures include:
(1) 21% mentioned healthy eating as one of their top three concerns. Crime levels were the most commonly cited issue, followed by drugs, terrorism and health services. Pollution and environmental issues, pensions or standards in education were mentioned by 18% in their top three.
(2)Each mentioned by two fifths of respondents when prompted with a list of possible concerns – salt (44%); fat (42%) and sugar (39%). Food poisoning was mentioned by 43% and 38% mentioned the amount of saturated fat.
(3) The type of outlet most commonly mentioned as a cause for concern in the last 12 months was takeaways and fast food outlets (26%). 17% mentioned restaurants/cafes/pubs/wine bars.
(4) 45% of respondents find it difficult to know whether a product is healthy from the label; 41% found them hard to read; a substantial group of 30% found them difficult to understand
(5) Food safety remains a key issue with the majority of respondents – with 56% when asked directly expressing some concern. Meat was the main focus of concern, mentioned by 37% of the Scotland sample. Within this, 32% mentioned raw meat, and 26% raw chicken. Dairy products (9%) and fish (13%) were each mentioned as a source of concern by around one in ten Scotland respondents.
(6) 71% said five portions or more in 2006, compared to 48% in 2000
(7) Amount of fat (48%); amount of salt (38%) and amount of sugar (30%)
(8) 83% of those using the FSA for food safety and scares information saying it provides very or fairly reliable information. 89% of those using the FSA for healthy eating information saying it provides very or fairly reliable information
(9) 70% in 2006; 64% in 2005 and 55% in 2000 saying very/fairly confident
(10) High of 81% in 2006 from 79% in 2005 and 65% in 2000
(11) 28% said the FSA reflects the views of consumers, an increase from 21% in 2005. 56% said they thought the FSA put consumers first, up from 53% in 2005 (asked on a seven-point scale where answers 5,6, and 7 are counted as a positive rating)
(12) 56% said they thought the Agency gave clear information and advice, an increase from 53% for information and 51% for advice in 2005. (asked on a seven-point scale where answers 5,6, and 7 are counted as a positive rating)
Back to topThe 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 2006 Scottish Consumer Attitudes Survey are available at the link below.
TNS conducted over 3,000 interviews (700 in Scotland) among a demographically representative sample of the UK adult population. Interviews were conducted face-to-face using Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) between August and October 2006.
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