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.
The International Food Information Council (IFIC) Foundation’s 2018 Food and Health Survey marks the 13th time the IFIC Foundation has surveyed American consumers to understand their perceptions, beliefs and behaviors around food and food purchasing decisions. This year, the survey […]
May 13, 2018
Public perception and consumer opinions are major drivers of shifts in dietary trends, as has been demonstrated most recently by the increased attention paid by consumers to low-carbohydrate eating patterns and concerns about added sugars. It is important for nutrition […]
May 1, 2018
See the full report (PDF, 4.4MB) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 26, 2018 WASHINGTON — While aging poses new challenges, as well as changing perceptions and behaviors around food and health, a report by the International Food Information Council (IFIC) Foundation […]
April 26, 2018
It was only a few years ago that online food shopping seemed be a relatively novel concept. Yet it is certainly gaining ground, with new research from the International Food Information Council (IFIC) Foundation revealing that over one-third of the […]
March 5, 2018
Research has long shown that lower-income Americans face unique barriers to good health. The 2017 Food & Health Survey builds on this body of research while identifying new ways in which income affects nutrition knowledge, health priorities, perceived health status […]
September 21, 2017
The 2017 Food & Health Survey gives a new perspective on conflicting nutrition information and how it affects Americans’ food choices. Survey findings also suggest that this preponderance of conflicting information may stem from a disconnect between the sources Americans […]
September 13, 2017
As people age, their nutrition needs and dietary preferences change. But few have examined the shopping habits and eating patterns of Americans ages 50-plus—the country’s fastest-growing demographic. That’s why the IFIC Foundation, in partnership with the AARP Foundation, conducted an […]
May 5, 2017
The development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is associated with increases in mortality, morbidity, length of hospitalization, and health-care costs (6). While the medical community and the general public are becoming increasingly aware of this association, widespread strategies are needed to prevent […]
September 1, 2016
The International Food Information Council (IFIC) Foundation’s 2016 Food and Health Survey, “Food Decision 2016: The Impact of a Growing National Food Dialogue,” marks the 11th edition of an ongoing investigation into the beliefs and behaviors of Americans. The Survey, […]
May 11, 2016
This study evaluated how consumers perceive the proposed inclusion of “Added Sugars” on the Nutrition Facts Panel (NFP). Through qualitative interviews and a national survey of 1,088 adults, researchers found that many consumers misunderstood the meaning of “Added Sugars,” often […]
June 9, 2015
The 2015 Food & Health Survey: Consumer Attitudes toward Food Safety, Nutrition & Health, marks the 10th anniversary of an ongoing investigation into the beliefs and behaviors of Americans. The survey, commissioned by the International Food Information Council Foundation, delves […]
May 8, 2015
Eicher-Miller HA, Fulgoni VL III, Keast DR. Energy and nutrient intakes from processed foods differ by sex, income status, and race/ethnicity of US adults. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2015;115(6):907-918.e6. doi:10.1016/j.jand.2014.11.004.
January 8, 2015
As food systems grow more complex, public understanding of chemical risks in food remains limited. This study explored U.S. mothers’ perceptions through focus groups and a national survey, revealing confusion, concern, and knowledge gaps. Findings highlight challenges and opportunities for […]
January 1, 2015
This study explored how eating occasions differ by age, gender, presence of children, and BMI among U.S. adults. Using data from 2,702 respondents reporting 6,689 eating or drinking events, researchers found that age had the strongest influence on eating patterns. […]
August 20, 2014
This expert panel convened by the American College of Sports Medicine, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and USDA addressed the nation’s obesity crisis by focusing on strategies to promote energy balance. The group explored how to better integrate nutrition […]
July 1, 2014
This study assessed how different formats of front-of-package (FOP) nutrition labeling affect consumer comprehension. Over 7,300 U.S. grocery shoppers evaluated four versions of a fact-based FOP system, ranging from no FOP label to labels showing calories, nutrients to limit, and […]
June 1, 2014
If your eating and health behaviors were part of a TV reality show, what type of contestant would you be: an American Health Idol, a Health Apprentice, or a Health Survivor? New findings from the International Food Information Council (IFIC) Foundation’s 2014 Food […]
May 23, 2014
The 2013 Food & Health Survey: Consumer Attitudes toward Food Safety, Nutrition & Health, commissioned by the International Food Information Council Foundation, is the eighth annual national quantitative study designed to gain insights from Americans on important food safety, nutrition […]
April 1, 2013
Processed foods are an integral part of American diets, but a comparison of the nutrient contribution of foods by level of processing with the recommendations of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans regarding nutrients to encourage or to reduce has not […]
September 18, 2012
This paper, based on the symposium “Is ‘Processed’ a Four-Letter Word? The Role of Processed Foods in Achieving Dietary Guidelines and Nutrient Recommendations in the U.S.” describes ongoing efforts and challenges at the nutrition-food science interface and public health; addresses […]
July 1, 2012
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