US: IFIC research highlights changes in consumer perceptions of food safety risks
Photo: Alberto G. / Flickr, CC BY 2.0
Quality Assurance Magazine: The top food safety concern among Americans is no longer “foodborne illness,” having been overtaken by “chemicals in food,” according to the International Food Information Council (IFIC) Foundation’s 2015 Food and Health Survey.
However, when it comes to risks to consumers, foodborne illnesses are far and away the greater health concern. With September being National Food Safety and Food Safety Education Month, it’s a great time to rethink our food safety priorities and our notions of risks.
This year, 36% of Americans cited “chemicals in food,” such as pesticide residues, as the most important food safety issue for them and their family, edging out “foodborne illness from bacteria” (34%). The increase in the number of people citing “chemicals in food” as their top concern is striking. Last year, only 23% of Americans chose that option.
Click here to read the full article from Quality Assurance Magazine.