The cost of food is the main factor that worries Europeans

The increased cost of food worries 70% of Greeks, according to a special Eurobarometer study.

The cost of food is more of a concern for Europeans today than it was a few years ago, making it a major factor influencing food purchases. At the same time, as noted in the relevant statement of the Joint Food Control Agency, almost half of those surveyed believe food safety is just as importantand 41% of citizens EU reckon withit goes without saying that the food they buy is safe.

These findings are taken from the 2022 Eurobarometer special study on food safety in the EU (the fourth such study since 2005).

Poll based on interviews with 27,000 people across the EU, gives insight into how Europeans make food choicestheir awareness of food safety and concerns, and how who they trust with food safety information.

According to the Executive Director of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Bernhard Url, the events of the past three years, including highlights the global pandemic and the outbreak of war in Europehave had and continue to have dramatic consequences, and it is not surprising that For many Europeans, the rising cost of living is affecting their food choices more than ever before.. On the other hand, food safety remains important to many EU citizens and it is encouraging that almost half of them are concerned about healthy eating, as well as the risks associated with food.

It is noted that this study, which is the “freshest picture” of the views of citizens, is being carried out at a time when the EU food safety system, EFSA and similar agencies based in several states, celebrate their 20th anniversary. They were created in 2002 (it is worth noting that EFET has been operating in Greece since 2000) to give food safety in Europe a strengthened scientific baseunified rules and strengthen cooperation across the continent.

Concerning Greeksthe survey showed that the cost of food is a big concern for Greeks (70%), making it the main factor influencing the purchase decision of each particular product, followed by food safety (65%) and nutrient content (50%) .

Almost all respondents (99%) are interested in food safety issues. They’ve also likely heard of:

• pesticide residues in food (86%),
• additives to food or drinks (81%),
• food poisoning with low-quality products (75%),
• drinks contaminated with bacteria, viruses and parasites (75%),
• diseases found in animals (73%)
• residues of antibiotics, hormones or steroids in meat (72%).

Pesticide residues in food (69%) and additives such as colorants, preservatives or flavors used in food or drink (54%) top the list of food safety concerns among Greeks.

Fewer people were concerned about microplastics found in food (12%) and the health of farm animals (10%). It is noted that 59% of respondents equally care about healthy eating and the dangers of food.

About 7 out of 10 (66%) name family, friends, neighbors or colleagues one of the main sources of information about food risksfollowed by television (65%) and Internet search engines (49%).

In addition, doctors are trusted by 9 out of 10 respondents (94%), as well as academics/scientists from the public sector (93%) regarding information about food risks.

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