New survey finds out what Americans are really paying attention to when choosing foods
Americans recognize things need to change in the grocery aisle, and they support Uncle Sam's efforts to overhaul what is included in their food and on the packages. The majority also believe they are individually responsible for making the right food choices to avoid obesity, but will readily accept the government's help to be successful, according to a new survey by FoodMinds.
"In light of all the recent attention around food labeling and nutrition guidance programs, we wanted to get a sense of what the consumer actually thought," said Grant Prentice, FoodMinds' director of Strategic Insights. "We heard clearly they believe things need to change - and that it makes sense for the government to lead that charge."Americans Want Uncle Sam-
-Involved in Food Labels
- Eighty-six percent of consumers are interested in the government implementing objective front-of-pack labeling that calls out calories and beneficial nutrients such as vitamin D or fiber
- Seventy-seven percent of shoppers are interested in front-of-package labels designed to warn them of products with high calories, low nutrients
- And, 64 percent said if their favorite food had a warning label on it, they would either eat less or stop buying the product entirely
-To Help Educate, Mitigate and Motivate
- Seventy-four percent favor government-sponsored nutrition education programs to help them better identify the "good" versus the "bad" foods
- Fifty-eight percent support the government banning advertising of "unhealthy" foods to children and young adults
- Half are in favor of the government allowing employers to reward healthier employees while levying higher costs or fines to punish those who engage in unhealthy behaviors
-But Not His Taxes
- Rejected by 65 percent of shoppers are proposed taxes on soft drinks and foods high in sugar and calories, but low in nutritional value
Just the (Nutrition) Facts, Ma'am