Food/Product Selection or Purchase Criteria

The U.S. Department of Agriculture report highlights significant epidemiological events of 2007 and provides insight into the nation's animal health surveillance activities. The report also presents an update on programs, both new and existing, that strive to maintain healthy livestock, poultry, and aquaculture populations.

According to research by Natural Marketing Institute (NMI), more than 80% of the total U.S. adult population show some type of "green motivation." Moreover, the number of consumers who are "sustainability active" has increased since 2004 and now extends to several consumer segments identified by NMI.

Consumer demand for more humanely raised and healthier foods has led to labels such as "cage free," "no antibiotics used," and "no hormones administered." However, these labels typically cover only a single aspect of the product's origin and may be redundant or misleading. The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) has categorized these different labels and surveyed their availability among the U.S.'s top 23 grocery chains.

U.S. consumers are losing confidence in the food industry’s handling of farmed animals, according to a new survey conducted by the Center for Food Integrity. Relative to last year, consumers are now more likely to disagree with the statement, "U.S. meat is derived from humanely treated animals." Consumers tend to agree with the statement, "I would support a law in my state to ensure the humane treatment of farm animals."

Business consulting firm Deloitte's survey of U.S. consumers found that, to improve their buying decisions, consumers want their foods to clearly display key information (including the food's country of origin), even if this means additional cost to the consumer.

A survey of consumers from the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Argentina, and China reveals that consumers are most concerned with taste, quality, and the price of food; health is also important, particularly in China. Consumers predict that what we eat will be different in 2020, and while they would like to consume more local foods, they expect that more of their food will be imported.

Higher standards of animal welfare can provide positive benefits to producers and consumers, but producers by themselves are unlikely to maximize either animal or social welfare. Consequently, government involvement is warranted to ensure that the interests of consumers who care about animal welfare are considered. This paper analyzes the economic benefits of improving the welfare of "broiler" chickens.

According to research from the Center for Food Integrity, the rising cost of food is among the three greatest consumer concerns in the United States. 60% of survey respondents are more concerned about food prices today than they were a year ago.

In Australia, almost one fourth (22%) of all eggs sold are laid by free-range hens, even though the cost is considerably higher. Despite the cost, consumption has risen steadily over the past decade to nearly 45 million dozen free range eggs. According to an egg industry trade group, however, claims of superior taste and nutrition for free range eggs are disputable.