What We Do

Established in 1985, the International Food Information Council (IFIC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C. Our mission is to effectively communicate science-based information about food safety, nutrition and sustainable food systems, serving the public good. Our work is grounded in peer-reviewed research and informed by the work of recognized scientific and public health authorities. Our team includes experts in science, health and communications who turn research into practical insights to help stakeholders communicate with credibility and impact. IFIC primarily engages healthcare professionals, communicators, and others who influence consumer food and beverage choices, as well as informed consumers seeking credible information. Research & Consumer Insights IFIC research focuses on consumer beliefs, behaviors and attitudes around food – spanning food safety issues, ingredients, nutrition and more. IFIC Food & Health Survey Our flagship annual survey on Americans’ perceptions, beliefs and behaviors related to food and food-purchasing decisions. IFIC Spotlight Surveys Monthly quantitative studies on timely food and nutrition topics. Commissioned Research Comprehensive consumer research projects utilizing mixed methods. Peer-Reviewed Publications Studies in which IFIC research is cited. Science Communication Resources IFIC resources focus on consumer trends, scientific research and evidence-based communication strategies. Articles Deep dives into timely topics to strengthen understanding and translate ideas for key audiences. Continuing Education CPE opportunities and free webinars featuring IFIC research and expert perspectives. Toolkits Curated content collections on timely food safety and nutrition topics. Covening & Collaboration IFIC brings together thought leaders to advance the food systems dialogue and science-based decision-making through various events and platforms.

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Survey Finds That Few Older Americans Grocery-Shop Online, But Lowering Hurdles Could Sway Many

Survey Finds That Few Older Americans Grocery-Shop Online, But Lowering Hurdles Could Sway Many Online Shoppers Eager for Food Information, But Often Come Up Empty Download Full Survey (Washington, D.C.)—The number of Americans over 50 who are online grocery-shopping is relatively low, with only 17 percent ever having ordered groceries to be picked up from a store, 17 percent from a prepared meal delivery service, 16 percent ever having ordered groceries to be delivered, and 10 percent having ordered from a meal-kit delivery service. Those are among the findings from a new survey conducted by the International Food Information Council (IFIC) Foundation in collaboration with AARP Foundation. On the other hand, the vast majority of older consumers shop at more traditional venues in-person, with 90 percent shopping at a supermarket at least once a month, 71 percent at a super-store, and 46 percent at a warehouse/discount club. “While the overall number of Americans over 50 who grocery-shop online is relatively low, the findings can help us forecast future trends as technology use becomes even more common among older adults and other age groups,” said Alexandra Lewin-Zwerdling, Vice President of Research and Partnerships at the IFIC Foundation. Who Are the Online Shoppers? Two groups of older consumers who buy groceries and food online tend to stand out—and they come from different ends of the spectrum: those in higher income brackets and those who report mobility issues (and also tend to have lower incomes). A typical older, online grocery shopper is likely to be in their 50s, from the Northeast, college-educated, working full-time and white. Online grocery shoppers with annual incomes below $35,000 are far more likely (30 percent) to report mobility issues as a major obstacle than those earning more than $75,000 (7 percent). “We found that older Americans who buy […]

research

Survey Finds That Few Older Americans Grocery-Shop Online, But Lowering Hurdles Could Sway Many

Online Shoppers Eager for Food Information, But Often Come Up Empty Download Full Survey (Washington, D.C.)—The number of Americans over 50 who are online grocery-shopping is relatively low, with only 17 percent ever having ordered groceries to be picked up from a store, 17 percent from a prepared meal delivery service, 16 percent ever having ordered groceries to be delivered, and 10 percent having ordered from a meal-kit delivery service. Those are among the findings from a new survey conducted by the International Food Information Council (IFIC) Foundation in collaboration with AARP Foundation. On the other hand, the vast majority of older consumers shop at more traditional venues in-person, with 90 percent shopping at a supermarket at least once a month, 71 percent at a super-store, and 46 percent at a warehouse/discount club. “While the overall number of Americans over 50 who grocery-shop online is relatively low, the findings can help us forecast future trends as technology use becomes even more common among older adults and other age groups,” said Alexandra Lewin-Zwerdling, Vice President of Research and Partnerships at the IFIC Foundation. Who Are the Online Shoppers? Two groups of older consumers who buy groceries and food online tend to stand out—and they come from different ends of the spectrum: those in higher income brackets and those who report mobility issues (and also tend to have lower incomes). A typical older, online grocery shopper is likely to be in their 50s, from the Northeast, college-educated, working full-time and white. Online grocery shoppers with annual incomes below $35,000 are far more likely (30 percent) to report mobility issues as a major obstacle than those earning more than $75,000 (7 percent). “We found that older Americans who buy groceries online are not at all a monolithic group, and that there are a […]

Media

Food Safety Sprouting Up

You may have heard of the recent Salmonella food safety incident brought on by the consumption of clover sprouts on sandwiches. People in several states have contracted foodborne illness and have reported being very sick. Specifically in this case, the strain of Salmonella making all of these folks sick is called Salmonella Montevideo. Let’s take a quick look at some info on this bacteria, safe food-handling tips and what you should do if you think you may have foodborne illness. Skipping the Side of Sprouts? Farmers take great care to provide safe and nutritious fruits and vegetables to us all. In addition, to help further support sprout farmers in their efforts to produce these veggies in the safest way possible, the Food and Drug Administration’s Sprout Safety Alliance has developed best practices for growing sprouts and supplying them to stores, markets and restaurants. Still, sprouts have been associated with several foodborne illness outbreaks and have gained a bit of a “reputation” for being notable culprits in causing foodborne illness. For example, the FDA recorded that between 1996 and July 2016 in the United States, there were a total of approximately “46 reported outbreaks associated with sprouts, accounting for 2,474 illnesses and 187 hospitalizations.” These outbreaks are mainly tied to the nature of how sprouts are grown, which is in a warm, moist and nutrient-rich atmosphere. The sprout crop environment happens to be the same atmosphere Salmonella  (and other bacteria such as E. coli) thrives in. These conditions can lead to the sprout seed’s being contaminated and carrying the bacteria. In most cases of sprout-caused foodborne illness, the contamination can be traced back to the sprout seeds. Sly Salmonella While we have one of the safest and most reliable food supplies in the world, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that Salmonella […]

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Questions and Answers About Fructose

What is fructose? Fructose is a monosaccharide, or single sugar, that has the same chemical formula as glucose but a different molecular structure. Sometimes called fruit sugar, fructose is found in fruit, some vegetables, honey, and other plants. Fructose and other sugars are carbohydrates, an important source of energy for the body. What other types of sugars are there? The food supply contains a variety of sugars called monosaccharides (single sugar units like fructose and glucose) and disaccharides (two monosaccharides linked together). Glucose is the main source of energy for the body because most complex sugars and carbohydrates break down into glucose during digestion. Starches contain many single sugar units linked together. The various sugars perform different functions in the body, but they all can provide energy. Sucrose is a disaccharide that contains equal parts of glucose and fructose. Known as table or white sugar, sucrose is found naturally in sugar cane and sugar beets. Other sugars in foods and beverages include: Lactose Disaccharide containing glucose and galactose Naturally occurring in milk Maltose Disaccharide containing two glucoses Crystallized from starch Dextrose Another name for glucose Crystallized from sugar cane, sugar beets and starches Corn Syrup Primarily single glucose units Produced from corn starch High Fructose Corn Syrup Primarily a mixture of glucose and fructose single units Produced from corn starch Is fructose safe? High fructose corn syrup and all other sugars are “generally recognized as safe” by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Surgeon General’s Report on Nutrition and Health, the National Academy of Sciences report Diet and Health, and Healthy People 2000: National Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Objectives by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services support this conclusion. In a 2002 scientific statement on sugar and cardiovascular disease, the American Heart Association concluded that, for […]

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