Food Standards Agency 2005 survey reveals a more health-conscious consumer

Wednesday 1 March 2006

Ref: WA05/06CK

The Food Standards Agency is today publishing its sixth UK-wide Consumer Attitudes to Food Survey. The annual survey reveals that an increasing number of consumers say they are taking an active interest in their food and diet, with more people checking food labels and trying to eat more fruit and vegetables.

The 2005 Wales survey, also published today, highlights a number of diet and health trends that have emerged since 2000. These include:

a significant yearly increase in the number of consumers who are aware that they should eat at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables each day. There has been a steady increase in awareness of the recommended portions over time¹
a year-on-year increase in the number of consumers who are eating fresh vegetables, salads and fruits more regularly (at least 2/3 times per week)²
a significant increase in the number of consumers claiming to never eat ready-made meals³
just over half the respondents in Wales claimed they prepared/cooked a meal from raw or fresh ingredients at least once a day An increase in the proportion of consumers claiming to sit down together for a main meal at least once a day⁴

This year there was an increase in the proportion who claimed to be 'very concerned' about food safety issues (28%) and respondents were more likely to feel that food safety has got worse over the last year. Additionally, there was also concern about meat related issues (up 4 percentage points to 14%) although concerns about specific food types have dropped since 2004.

This increase in concern over food safety (and in particular meat) may in part have been driven by the E coli outbreak that occurred while some of the fieldwork was being undertaken.

Joy Whinney, Director of FSA Wales says: 'It's encouraging that the Agency's survey shows a growing trend among consumers towards healthier eating. The rise in the number of people cooking with fresh ingredients and trying to eat more fruit and veg shows a real shift in attitudes since the Agency first started these surveys in 2000.'

Other key trends from the 2005 survey include:

consumer awareness of the FSA now stands at a new high after increasing steadily since 2000
53% of respondents in Wales were confident about the Agency�s role, in protecting health with regard to food safety
a decline in consumer concern over foods containing GM ingredients⁵
a decline in consumer concern over hygiene standards in mobile food outlets and cafes⁶

Notes to editors

1. Up from 47% in 2000 to 68% in 2005
2. Up from 92% in 2000 to 95% in 2005
3. Up from 17% in 2004 to 24% in 2005
4. Up from 52% in 2004 to 58% in 2005
5. From 25% in 2004 to 19% in 2005
6. Mobile food outlets (down from 35% in 2004 to 28% in 2005) and cafes (down from 16% in 2004 from 12% in 2005)

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 UK and Wales Consumer Attitudes Survey 2005 are available at the link below.

TNS conducted over 3,000 interviews among a representative sample of the UK population. In Wales 719 interviews were carried out, and the structure of the sample was designed to be representative of the population of Wales. Interviews were conducted face-to-face in people's homes between 5 September and 16 October 2005.

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Food Standards Agency 2005 survey reveals a more health-conscious consumer

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