Meat, Dairy, Egg Consumption

Consumer Reports examines the public's perception of and confidence in the U.S. food system. The specific issues addressed includes consumer attitudes toward country of origin labeling and "naturally raised" meat, as well as genetically engineered and cloned animals.

This Ipsos/McClatchy survey found that 54% of U.S. adults rate the level of food safety in the United States as an "A" or "B," although 28% feel that food safety has gotten worse in the six months preceding the survey.

This report describes the trend of increasing per capita meat consumption in China and its environmental impacts. The authors suggest undertaking a critical examination of industrial animal agriculture to help prevent large-scale environmental issues. The report includes statistics describing China's factory farming industry.

This study of consumer attitudes shows that increasing food prices are becoming a bigger concern for U.S. consumers and are affecting the food choices and purchasing habits of these food purchasers.

A study of consumer buying habits found that healthfulness, quality, and flavor or taste are among the factors that most influence buyers of niche pork products.

An opinion poll conducted at a European poultry technical seminar found that nearly a third of nutritionists, veterinarians, and other industry experts believe that the European Union (EU) program to reduce salmonella contamination in eggs and poultry flocks will put the competitiveness of EU poultry producers at risk.

According to research by Natural Marketing Institute (NMI), more than 80% of the total U.S. adult population show some type of "green motivation." Moreover, the number of consumers who are "sustainability active" has increased since 2004 and now extends to several consumer segments identified by NMI.

Consumer demand for more humanely raised and healthier foods has led to labels such as "cage free," "no antibiotics used," and "no hormones administered." However, these labels typically cover only a single aspect of the product's origin and may be redundant or misleading. The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) has categorized these different labels and surveyed their availability among the U.S.'s top 23 grocery chains.

Australians are voting with their wallets regarding the way that chickens for meat consumption are raised, with three in five Australians choosing chickens that are "free to roam outside in paddocks and guaranteed to not contain growth hormones."

Business consulting firm Deloitte's survey of U.S. consumers found that, to improve their buying decisions, consumers want their foods to clearly display key information (including the food's country of origin), even if this means additional cost to the consumer.