Paper summary: Food

Views on the food supply chain 

This chapter explores how far factors relating to the food supply chain matter to people when buying food and how far people trust the various actors and processes involved. It considers how united the public is in its views on these matters and which subgroups express distinct views.  

What matters when buying food

When choosing what food to buy, people are most likely to say that healthiness matters to them and are less likely to rate concerns around the food supply chain as important.

• 83% say it matters a great deal or quite a lot that the food is healthy. 
• 69% say it matters that the food has not gone through a lot of processing.
• 58% say it matters farmers are paid a fair price.
• Women and older people are more likely to say issues relating to the food supply chain matter to them.  

Trust in actors and processes 

There is greater trust in food produced in Britain compared to imported food, while levels of trust in different organisations varies.

• 58% are very or quite sure that food that comes from Britain is prepared to the highest quality standards, compared with 23% who say this about food from abroad.
• 68% trust food inspectors and 58% trust farmers a great deal or quite a lot to make sure food is safe to eat. Only one third trust supermarkets, food manufacturers and the government to do this. 

Trust in the event of a food scare 

Health professionals are most likely to be trusted to tell the truth in the event of a food scare.

• 40% say they would trust health professionals the most to tell the truth while 30% would trust scientists the most.
• 10% would trust the government the most and 8% would trust the media the most.

Authors: Caireen Roberts, Dr Alizon Draper and Professor Elizabeth Dowler