Independent research conducted with 8,000 consumers reveals that Europeans are more worried about health and food safety than environmental problems, international terrorism or public safety. The role of packaging in food safety is among a list of key concerns. The findings unveil a growing concern among European consumers linked to the potential health risks of chemical compounds leaching into food from packaging. Two thirds (66%) of consumers admit that they are worried about food contamination, as well as the risk of chemicals leaching from food packaging into its content. Eight out of 10 consumers surveyed believe these chemical interactions could be a risk to human health. The findings also reveal that European consumers (60%) are most worried about plastic containers impacting the food/beverage content or ingredients out of all materials surveyed, including metal, cartons, bag in box, plastics and glass. Health concerns play a key role in consumer decision-making, and in driving demand for food or beverages packed in glass. Among those who opt for glass, 61% trust it as the safest packaging for their health. This compares with 48% of consumers surveyed in 2010. Commenting on behalf of the Friends of Glass Community, Adeline Farrelly, secretary general of Feve, the European Container Glass Federation, said: "It's clear that consumers worry about contamination from packaging. Nowadays, consumers are looking at how products are stored and packaged, not only at what's written on the label. Studies show packaging materials are leaking chemicals into food, which is a very real concern. Parents of young children are particularly cautious: 77% of European parents prefer glass for storing baby food, while 61% avoid buying baby food in plastic bottles or other materials." To read more, please visit: www.foodbev.com/news/consumers-concerned-about-safety-of-food#.U3mqdIE7…
