Just two out of 10 consumers globally have total confidence that their food is safe to eat, according to new data.
The information was revealed in a survey conducted by Zebra Technologies that polled close to 5000 consumers and more than 450 F&B industry decision-makers in global manufacturing, transportation & logistics, retail and wholesale distribution markets. The report showed consumers are generally concerned about restaurant kitchen and waiting staff hygiene, food-borne outbreaks, illness from contaminated food, and food and beverage recalls.
Roughly 60 per cent of surveyed consumers would never eat at a restaurant again if they contracted an illness on the premises, while more than 80 per cent globally and 93 per cent in Asia Pacific felt businesses have an essential part to play in putting food safety solutions into place, as well as an ethical responsibility to guarantee safe food handling.
The study revealed a disconnect between what consumers believe and what industry decision-makers think. Around 69 per cent of decision-makers feel the F&B the industry is well set up to manage food traceability and transparency, while just 35 per cent of consumers feel the same way.
“Findings from our study show that while the industry is taking measures to ensure a more transparent supply chain, more work needs to be done in order to increase consumer confidence and improve food traceability,” said Zebra Technologies director of supply chain solutions Mark Wheeler.
“Businesses naturally have more information available to them but can improve consumers’ faith in their food sources by providing them access to the same information.”