Food Standards Agency Northern Ireland survey reveals a more health-conscious consumer

Monday 6 March 2006

A survey published today shows that consumers in Northern Ireland are choosing to eat healthier foods than they were a year ago, with 40% of respondents claiming to eat more fresh fruit and vegetables than in 2004.

The Food Standards Agency sixth UK wide 'Consumer Attitudes to Food Survey' reveals that an increasing number of consumers 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 survey highlights a number of diet and health trends in Northern Ireland, which include:

• 44% of the sample felt that their diet was more healthy than a year ago an increase from 38% in 2004
• awareness of the food types that should be more or less frequently consumed has also increased. When asked how many portions of fruit and vegetables should be eaten a day, two-thirds (65%) answered correctly. This figure has increased from 59% in 2004 and 39% in 2000 when the Agency was set up
• there was an increase of 18% from the 2004 figure in the number of people who say they always/regularly look for nutritional information on labels - such as the amount of fat, salt, sugar to 52% in 2005
• 95% of respondents are now claiming to eat fresh fruit and vegetables regularly
• the proportion of respondents looking for the amount of salt on labels has increased by 11% in 2005
• 82% of respondents claim to sit down to a meal with the whole family at least once a day, which has increased from 77% in 2004
• 57% people in Northern Ireland claim to prepare or cook one meal per day from raw/fresh ingredients. The key reason for not preparing was that someone else does it or lack of time
• over two-fifths (45%) considered that general food safety had improved in the last year
• awareness of the FSA has increased to more than half of respondents (55% from 47% in 2004)
• after people's local GP, the Food Standards Agency Northern Ireland was seen as the most reliable source of information in the event of a food scare

Morris McAllister Director of Food Standards Agency Northern Ireland said: 'The results indicate that we are helping to inform Northern Ireland's consumers about how they can improve their diet through making healthy choices and checking labels, which is excellent. It's encouraging that 95% of respondents are now claiming to eat fresh fruit and vegetables regularly. This suggests a real shift in attitudes since the Agency first began these surveys in 2000.

'While our achievements are gratifying, our challenge is now to continue to maximise the Agency's potential and build on these key aspects. I am particularly pleased to note that consumers who are aware of the FSA, rate us as an organisation they feel they can trust, which is essential for our continued success.'

Along with tracking awareness of key food issues, the 2005 Consumer Attitudes survey also highlighted consumers rising awareness of the FSA and its role in providing clear consumer advice. Figures of note include:

• consumer awareness of the FSA now stands at a new high after increasing steadily since 2000 (1)
• a substantial increase, from 2001, in the number of consumers who believe the FSA is an organisation that they can trust (2)
• a substantial increase, from 2000, in the number of consumers who described themselves as confident about the Agency's role in protecting health with regard to food safety (3)
• a decrease in the number of consumers who feel that the FSA reflects the views of the food industry (4)
• an increase in the number of consumers who are more likely to cite the FSA as an organisation that they would use for information compared with previous years (5)
• a substantial increase in the number of consumers who believe that the FSA provides clear advice (6)
• a year-on-year decline in the number of consumers expressing concern over BSE (7)