Germans are particularly critical
When reaching for the food shelf, every second EU citizen decides based on origin, cost, food safety and taste. Surprisingly, aspects such as animal welfare and the environment lag behind. In 12 of the 28 Member States, the consumers surveyed cited cost as the most important criterion for their purchasing decision. These are the key findings of a recent Eurobarometer survey published by EFSA on International Food Safety Day in June.
Two out of five Europeans generally have a personal interest in food safety. However, this aspect does not rank first in the purchase decision. For most, it's just one of several factors - alongside price, taste, nutritional value and origin.
The most frequently mentioned concerns are residues of antibiotics or hormones in meat, followed by residues of pesticides and environmental pollutants. The Germans were much more critical on these points than their European neighbors. Ethical questions and animal welfare aspects are also of greater importance to Germans. Scientists and consumer organizations enjoy a consistently high level of trust among all Europeans. Remarkable: With 69 percent of consumers, farmers are more trustworthy than authorities, EU institutions, NGOs and journalists.
