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Consumer Confidence in Food Safety Down Since ’04: Survey

Although the majority of Americans feel that foods in supermarkets are safe, the percentage who feel this way has decreased over the last five years, according to The NPD Group.

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. — Although the majority of Americans feel that foods in supermarkets are safe, the percentage who feel this way has decreased over the last five years, according to The NPD Group here. The latest NPD Food Safety Monitor, which has tracked food safety concerns and eating intentions in the U.S. every other week since 2001, indicates that in 2007 and 2008, 63% agreed with the statement that foods sold in supermarkets are safe, vs. 68% who agreed with the statement in 2004.

“I believe that consumers’ slipping confidence in the safety of supermarket food is less about food safety and more about supermarkets expanding foodservice operations and offering more prepared, ready-to-eat foods,” said Harry Balzer, chief industry analyst and vice president at NPD, in a statement. “More food handling issues and concerns come into play when foods are prepared for you. Consumers are now extending the concerns they have about the safety of foods served at restaurants to supermarkets.”

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TAGS: Food Safety