NI survey reveals increase in healthier eating

The third annual UK Consumer Attitudes to Food survey, published today by the Food Standards Agency (FSA), has revealed that just under four out of ten of those interviewed in Northern Ireland (38%) claimed to be eating more healthily this year - a significant increase compared to 2000 (33%).

While fruit, diary products and vegetables continued to be eaten regularly, Northern Ireland respondents were more likely to eat fresh meat and other convenience foods than those in other countries.

Unlike the rest of the UK, where there was a small decrease in concern about food safety, respondents in Northern Ireland appeared increasingly concerned.

There was a significant increase in the number of respondents in Northern Ireland with concerns about almost every food issue, for example, food poisoning, BSE, and the use of pesticides.

Also, the number expressing a concern about hygiene in retail outlets or the home, went up from 38% in 2001 to 50% this year. Concern remained greatest about market stalls selling meat.

However, half of those interviewed felt that food safety had improved and Northern Ireland respondents were significantly more likely to say that food safety had improved than those in the rest of the UK.

Overall, confidence in the role played by the Food Standards Agency has also increased significantly, with 60% of consumers in the UK, now claiming to be very or fairly confident in the Agency's role in protecting health with regard to food safety, an increase of 10% since 2000.

Michael Walker, chairman of the Northern Ireland Advisory Committee, said: "This latest survey has some important results for consumers in Northern Ireland. For example, it is very reassuring to note that people are very aware of the need to eat healthily.

"In the past three years the Food Standards Agency has made some headway in the journey to earning public confidence and trust. This annual survey, by continuing to highlight changing opinion about the issues that matter most to consumers, is a valuable contribution to the continuing public debate on food safety and standards."

The Consumer Attitudes to Food survey reveals the views of more than 3,000 consumers across the UK and the issues that really matter to them.

Research for the survey was carried out between September and October 2002 by Taylor Nelson Sofres for the Food Standards Agency.

(GMcG)