European consumers trust food safety institutions, but fear additives, antibiotics and pesticide residues in food. The attitude of European citizens towards food-related risks is detected by the 2022 special Eurobarometer on food safety, published by EFSA. (1)
Eurobarometer on food safety perceived by Europeans
The survey is based on interviews carried out on over 26 individuals residing in the 27 EU Member States between March and April 2022.
Some broods they reflect the concerns of a population gripped by fear and the threat of war in Europe after the pandemic.
The price drives the choices
The most alarming aspect is that on average in Europe in the choice of food the first factor is the price (54%), followed by the taste (51%). This approach is more frequent than in the previous one 2019 survey.
Italians differ from the European trend, indicating in 59% of cases as driver of consumer choices the origin of the products and food safety, understood as the presence of an unwelcome ingredient. The flavor is decisive in 46% of cases, while the cost has an incidence equal to the nutritional values (40%).
Still low throughout Europe, including Italy, attention to the environmental impact of food, which affects 16% of choices.
Who cares about food safety
Women are generally more sensitive to the issue of food safety. On the European scene, the most attentive consumers are Italians: 75% declare themselves personally interested in the issue, against an EU average of 70%.
Risk awareness
The risks of food safety, in the opinion of Europeans, can be summarized in 10 categories. Below, in descending order of awareness:
- additives such as colourings, preservatives or flavors used in food or beverages (70%),
- pesticide residues in food (65%),
- antibiotics, hormones or steroids in meat (63%),
- diseases of farm animals (60%),
- environmental pollutants in fish, meat or dairy products (58%),
- food poisoning caused by food or drink contaminated with bacteria, viruses and parasites (57%),
- welfare of farm animals. For example during transport, a topic proposed in the survey for the first time (57%),
- genetically modified ingredients (GMOs) in food or beverages (56%),
- microplastics in food (55%),
- presence of bacteria resistant to antibiotics in foods (51%), another topic that was newly included in the questionnaire.
Italians they are more familiar with antibiotic residues (57%), food additives (54%) and zoonotic diseases, i.e. farm animals (52%). With less sensitivity towards the presence of microplastics in food and beverages (30%) and animal welfare (32%).
Fears at the table
The fears on health risks related to food and drink among Europeans mainly concern the presence of pesticide residues (40%) and antibiotics or hormones in meat (39%), as well as additives (36%).
The residues of antibiotics they are the first concern of Italians (41%), followed by zoonotic diseases (36%), up by 8% compared to 2019. Then there is a growing fear of the effects of pesticide residues (31%, +6%) and the one on food additives remains constant (33%).
Food safety communication
The television and the closest people (family, friends and colleagues) are confirmed to be the primary source of information on food risks. This is true for the average of Europeans (61 and 44% respectively) as well as for Italians (67 and 44%).
Search engines on website they are the third source (37% on average, 34% in Italy). The sites website institutions instead play a marginal role, relying on them by 17% of Europeans and 13% of Italians.
Among various sources possible, the greatest reliance is placed on:
- general practitioners (89%, 85% in Italy),
- scientists and researchers of public structures (82% in the EU, 80% in Italy),
- consumer associations (82% EU average, 81% in Italy).
Political responsibilities
Consumer confidence Europeans should sound like a reminder of the political responsibilities of the institutions responsible for food safety.
73% of the respondents Europeans, in fact, believe that regulations are in place to guarantee food safety, but only 41% (42% in Italy) take it for granted that the food on sale is safe.
From note that 37% of Italians find that information on food safety is often very technical and complex (27% EU average).
Marta Strinati
Footnotes
(1) EFSA. Special Eurobarometer Wave EB97.2 Food safety in the EU https://www.efsa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2022-09/EB97.2-food-safety-in-the-EU_report.pdf
A professional journalist since January 1995, she has worked for newspapers (Il Messaggero, Paese Sera, La Stampa) and periodicals (NumeroUno, Il Salvagente). She is the author of journalistic studies on food and has published the book "Reading labels to know what we eat".
