Study Pandemic heightens awareness of food safety

The study, which was conducted in mid-September by KRC Research using the Mars Food Safety and Security online survey of 1,754 adults ages 18 to 65, received input from respondents in the United States, the United Kingdom and China.

The survey found individuals’ concern with food safety has been heightened by the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. According to the survey, 73% of respondents believe the novel coronavirus will impact the viability of the global supply chain, and 71% believe it will have an impact on global access to food. These individuals think about food safety and security as much as climate change (39%), pollution (38%) and poverty (33%), the survey found.

The GFSC was established in September 2015 with a goal to tackle the most significant food safety challenges facing the planet today. Specifically, the GFSC has set ambitious targets in three critical areas of food safety. Mars said the center’s three focus areas align with several concerns identified in the September survey, including 60% of respondents who expressed concern about keeping food safety from toxins and 58% who said they are concerned about preventing food fraud.

Survey respondents also expressed the importance for government and private organizations like the GFSC to continue to focus on preventing food safety issues (85%), to invest in early detection programs (84%) and to manage global food safety (80%), Mars said.