IFIC is a trusted source for food and research insights. Our research explores consumer beliefs, behaviors and attitudes on key topics spanning food safety and ingredients to nutrition and health.
Browse our flagship IFIC Food & Health Survey, monthly Spotlight Surveys, commissioned research and peer-reviewed publications.
Highlights Between the popularity of plant-based eating and diets like keto and Paleo, protein continues to be top–of–mind for American consumers. But exactly when and why do people prioritize protein? What are the purchasing influencers for the variety of options […]
January 26, 2021
Highlights We’ve almost reached the end of 2020—twelve months that have been more challenging than we ever could have predicted, defined by the upheaval of many aspects of our lives. As we mark the end of this consequential year, IFIC […]
December 16, 2020
Cereals and pulses are key sources of carbs and protein, yet U.S. consumers have reduced carbohydrate intake over the past decade. While fiber, whole grains, and plant proteins are viewed favorably, Americans seek diverse eating styles for both health and […]
November 1, 2020
Burt KG, Fera J, Lewin-Zwerdling A. Differences in US adults’ value of and preferences for sustainable food by race/ethnicity, income, and education. J Hunger Environ Nutr. 2020;16(3):321-335. doi:10.1080/19320248.2020.1823927.
October 4, 2020
Key Highlights: It turns out that “processed” is making an impact on Americans’ thought process, particularly when it comes to their food choices. In fact, our 2020 Food and Health Survey found that nearly half (49%) say that whether a […]
September 30, 2020
Highlights: As we enter an autumn season unlike any of us imagined, our day-to-day habits and routines continue to be disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ve highlighted many aspects of these disruptions in our recent consumer surveys, and now we’re […]
September 16, 2020
Food safety is an issue that never seems too far from our minds—whether it’s hearing about a new food recall, trying to keep our kitchens and food prep spaces clean, or learning how to shop and keep food safe during […]
September 2, 2020
Highlights “Nutrient density” is a concept that is central to making healthy dietary choices, describing the balance of beneficial nutrients in a food (like vitamins, minerals, lean protein, healthy fats and fiber) compared with nutrients to limit (like saturated fat, sodium, added […]
August 20, 2020
Highlights Over the past few years, it might seem like we’ve come a long way in our perceptions of dietary fat. Avocadoes, omega-3-rich fish and nuts and seeds are welcomed parts of a balanced diet, and fad diets like keto […]
July 6, 2020
This year’s Food and Health Survey marks the 15th time the International Food Information Council (IFIC) has surveyed American consumers to understand their perceptions, beliefs, and behaviors around food and food purchasing decisions. This year, the survey continues an examination […]
June 9, 2020
What Nutrition Facts Information Do People Use to Decide Which Product is Healthier? Highlights In our first consumer survey on plant alternatives to meat, we explored people’s experiences with meatless protein products made from plants. We heard about their likes […]
May 28, 2020
In the United States, the COVID-19 pandemic has been entrenched in our daily lives for over two months. In the midst of its impact on the health of many and the lives of everyone, the way we’re thinking and acting […]
May 20, 2020
When many of us hear the term climate change, we think about changes in the weather and how human activity impacts our environment. Many consumers, as uncovered in IFIC’s previous research, also think about the environment when shopping for foods […]
April 22, 2020
It’s been just over one month since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19, also known as the novel coronavirus, a global pandemic. And we continue to feel its impact in nearly every aspect of our lives. For many of us, […]
April 14, 2020
Highlights You could say we’re intrigued by people’s attitudes, habits and perceptions about food here at IFIC. And while the start of a new year is often thought of as a fresh opportunity for change, we’ve begun to wonder: How […]
February 19, 2020
Highlights Every so often a new food trend captures our attention, only to fade once the novelty wears off. Other times, food trends have more staying power. The original veggie burger dates back decades, but more recently a new generation […]
January 30, 2020
Download the full report. Many Americans make food and beverage decisions every day with the goal of eating a healthy, well-balanced diet. Most people are generally aware that we should seek foods that are rich in healthful components and aim […]
November 15, 2019
Generation X got its name because it was considered to be harder to describe or understand—think “planet X” or “the X factor”—than their much-studied Baby Boomer predecessors. With Gen Xers (ages 40 to 55) now in middle age, the International […]
October 15, 2019
As found in IFIC’s 2019 Food and Health Survey, environmental sustainability has become increasingly associated with the foods that we eat as well as our food purchases. Yet sustainability can mean different things to different people. According to the Journal […]
September 17, 2019
Food waste is a pressing public health issue. The United Nations estimates about a third of food that is produced annually is wasted each year, which could mean that over one billion tons of food ends up in landfills. But […]
September 17, 2019
We’re always tracking emerging trends, but your ideas could shape what’s next. Share your questions and insights—they could spark our next deep dive.