A new survey shows an increase in the past two years in the number of Americans that are using health as a motivator when purchasing food.
The study, conducted by the International Food Information Council (IFIC) Foundation found 71 percent of consumers surveyed in 2014 said awareness of health benefits was a factor in choosing what they bought, up from 61 percent in 2012.
“While people’s attitudes about healthfulness in their food and beverage purchases and consumption alone don’t necessarily mean we are a healthier country today than we were a year or two ago, it could signal that we are moving in the right direction,” said Marianne Smith Edge, senior VP for nutrition and food safety at the IFIC Foundation. “If perceptions translate into actions, the impact on the health and wellness of our nation could be significant and long-lasting.”
The survey also revealed that 21 percent of the consumers surveyed are trying to consume omega-3 fats “as much as possible.”
The survey does not address seafood directly, but the findings do seem to match what Lynsee Fowler, communications director for the National Fisheries Institute, told SeafoodSource in a recent interview regarding the Millennial generation’s growing interest in seeking healthier food.
