Recent Packaged Facts survey data reveals that 58 percent of consumers are more concerned about food animal welfare now than they were in previous years. Lack of understanding, combined with a desire to provide humane treatment for food animals, have led to shifts in consumer demand for meat, poultry, egg and other related products. The common assumption is organic standards provide better animal welfare and tastier, healthier end products.
Only 33 percent of grocery shoppers view themselves as well-informed about claims such as antibiotic-free, pasture-raised and certified humane. Few consumers understand the meanings of product labelling, yet two-thirds of them still want federal regulations about animal welfare.
Source: Pork Network, June 5, 2017.
80% of consumers are interested in knowing more about agriculture and farming. However, when they search for information about food systems, 32% turn to friends and family who are not online, while 27% use Google or websites to learn more. Often consumers will crowdsource information from sources that may or may not be credible, then form opinions using what coincides with what they already value and believe.