Public attitudes tracker survey results published
30 Jul 2015 02:14 PM
The results from the FSA’s Biannual Public Attitudes Tracker for May 2015 have been published. We conduct this tracking survey with consumers, in order to monitor changes in consumer attitudes towards the FSA and food-related issues.
Food issues of concern
The top two food safety issues of total (ie spontaneous plus prompted) concern for respondents were food hygiene when eating out (37%), and the use of additives in food products (29%).
The top wider food issues of total concern were the amount of sugar in food (51%), food waste (49%) and the amount of salt in food (47%).
Concern about food safety in UK food outlets
In total, 48% of respondents reported concern about food safety in UK restaurants, pubs, cafes and takeaways; there is no obvious trend across waves. Also, 42% of respondents reported concern about food safety in shops and supermarkets; this is similar to Wave 9 but lower than Waves 6, 7 and 8.
Awareness of the FSA
Results show that 80% of respondents in England, Wales and Northern Ireland reported being aware of the FSA, which is in line with variations across previous waves. As in previous waves, the main issue these respondents reported the FSA to be responsible for was ensuring food bought is safe to eat (89%). Of those who reported being aware of the FSA, 65% said they trusted, and 7% said they distrusted, the FSA to do its job.
Awareness of hygiene standards
The survey shows that 83% of respondents reported being aware of the hygiene standards in places they eat out at or buy food from. As in all previous waves, the most commonly reported ways of knowing about hygiene standards were the general appearance of premises (61%) the appearance of staff (46%). Of these respondents, 43% also reported using hygiene certificates and 32% reported using hygiene stickers.
Background
Fieldwork for this wave took place in May 2015 and a representative sample of 2,640 adults in the UK was interviewed via the TNS consumer face-to-face omnibus survey. This is the tenth wave of the biannual tracker which started in November 2010.
The FSA conducts a tracking survey with consumers, in order to monitor changes in consumer attitudes towards the FSA and food-related issues.