EU Consumers Trust Fresh Over Processed

BRUSSELS - Apr 5/04 - SNS -- European consumers have more trust in fresh fruits and vegetables than processed foods and are keenly interested in knowing the origins of what they eat, reveal recent surveys,

Summarizing results of the latest studies, the European Union (EU) said consumer trust in food is high in the United Kingdom, Denmark, and Norway, but low in Italy and Portugal and relatively low in Germany. Research also shows that consumers in these countries are most skeptical about meat products, fast-food outlets and food processors.

These findings are revealed in the recently published study "Trust in Food in Europe, A Comparative Analysis". The research presents data from surveys completed in the above mentioned six countries. The study was conducted as part of the EU TRUST IN FOOD project (2002-2004). The project aimed to provide a better understanding of the reasons behind, and the implications of, varying levels of consumer trust in the field of food.

In addition to surveys, institutional studies were carried out in the six countries and at EU level. The initiative is part of general EU research on consumer perception and behavior, socio-economic and demographic factors, as well as the acceptability of typical food products.

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