IFIC Spotlight Survey: Perceptions On Processed: Consumer Sentiment & Purchasing Habits In 2021

Processed foods and beverages are found in nearly every section of the grocery store and are often part of our daily meals, snacks and desserts. But how does processing affect what Americans are buying and eating? In this survey, we aim to find out what Americans’ perceptions and purchasing behaviors are around processed foods and beverages. The International Food Information Council (IFIC) commissioned an online research survey with consumers based in the US to measure knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about processed foods. One thousand adults aged 18+ years completed the survey from July 7-15, 2021, and responses were weighted to ensure proportional results.  Key findings include:

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IFIC Spotlight Survey: Consumption Trends, Preferred Names & Perceptions Of Plant-Based Meat Alternatives 

You’ve likely heard a friend, family member or coworker talk about trying plant-based meat alternatives for the first time, or maybe you’ve noticed these products on the menu of your favorite restaurant or fast-food chain. Perhaps you’ve seen a growing suite of plant-based options at your grocery store. But just how many people are consuming these products, and how often are they doing so? With the growing interest in and consumption of plant-based meat alternatives, what are our preferences for what to call these newer products? We asked over 1,000 Americans with at least some role in food shopping and decision-making to find out. The International Food Information Council (IFIC) commissioned an online research survey with consumers based in the US to measure knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about plant-based meat alternatives. One thousand adults aged 18+ years completed the survey from August 26-30, 2021, and responses were weighted to ensure proportional results.  Key findings include”

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IFIC Spotlight Survey: Understanding Portion & Serving Sizes

You’ve likely witnessed someone turning over a packaged food to look at the serving size on the Nutrition Facts label with surprise. They’ve probably also said something along the lines of, “is this really how much I’m supposed to eat?” – or maybe you’ve experienced this yourself. But do Americans really know what the purpose of the serving size on the Nutrition Facts Label is, and how it differs from the concept of portion size? How exactly do Americans use serving and portion size, and what are their reasons for wanting to manage how much food they eat? This survey aimed to explore Americans’ understanding of both serving and portion size. The International Food Information Council (IFIC) commissioned an online research survey with consumers based in the US to measure knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about serving and portion size. One thousand adults aged 18+ years completed the survey from November 4-9, 2021, and responses were weighted to ensure proportional results.  Key findings include:

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IFIC Spotlight Survey: Caffeine Consumer Consumption Habits & Safety Perceptions

Caffeine is well-entrenched in the lives of most Americans. Whether it’s drinking a cup of joe in the morning, turning to a soda or tea for an afternoon pick-me-up, or indulging in coffee ice cream or tiramisu to end the day, caffeine-containing products have become an integral part of our daily food choices. But exactly what types of caffeinated products are Americans choosing, and what are people’s reasons for consuming caffeine in the first place? What do Americans know about caffeine safety and the amount of caffeine in various products, and what are their labeling preferences? This survey aimed to find out. The International Food Information Council (IFIC) commissioned an online research survey with consumers based in the US to measure knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about caffeine consumption. One thousand adults aged 18+ years completed the survey from February 3-8, 2022, and responses were weighted to ensure proportional results.  Key findings include:

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IFIC Spotlight Survey: Consumer Insights On Gut Health & Probiotics

The International Food Information Council (IFIC) commissioned an online research survey with consumers based in the US to measure knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about gut health and probiotics. One thousand adults aged 18+ years completed the survey from March 4-9, 2022, 7-13, and responses were weighted to ensure proportional results From kombucha to kimchi to kefir, the connection between certain foods and gut health is a hot topic in nutrition right now. And this trend is more than a gut feeling: Americans’ interest in learning more about prebiotics, probiotics, postbiotics and the gut microbiome has grown significantly over the past decade. IFIC’S 2021 Food and Health Survey found that more people were trying to consume probiotics and prebiotics in 2021 compared with just one year earlier. But to what extent do Americans prioritize gut health? How familiar are we with food components like pre-, pro-, post- and synbiotics? What products are we choosing, and why? This survey took a deeper dive. Key findings include:

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2022 IFIC Food & Health Survey Spotlight: Generation Z

Don’t let their age fool you—at 18 to 24 years old, Gen Z might be the youngest generation of adults, but their perspectives on food are loud and clear. IFIC’s 17th annual 2022 Food and Health Survey offers some especially compelling findings about young Americans’ perceptions and behaviors around food and food-related purchasing decisions, with valuable insights on how Gen Z views health and nutrition. Perceptions on Health Somewhat unsurprisingly for the youngest adult generation, most Gen Zers describe their own health as “excellent” or “very good,” with 59% saying so. Their healthy self-perception supports Gen Zers’ definition of healthy food: when asked to select the top attributes that define a healthy food, the most popular definitions among Gen Z included food that was a “good source of nutrients” (35%), food that was “fresh” (34%), and food that contained fruits or vegetables (30%). When asked about their most sought-after health benefits, it’s evident that Gen Z prioritizes bolstering both their physical and mental health; the top benefits they seek out from foods, beverages, and nutrients were having more energy or less fatigue (with 38% saying this), improved sleep (35%), emotional or mental health (33%), and digestive or gut health (29%). Seeking out emotional and mental health benefits could be, in part, due to Gen Zers’ self-reported levels of stress. When asked about their stress levels over the past six months, 73% said they felt “very” or “somewhat” stressed, with one-third (33%) saying they were “very” stressed. Among those who sought to improve their nutrition or diet to manage or reduce their stress, over two in five respondents specifically cited practicing mindful or intuitive eating to accomplish stress management; they were also more likely than Gen Xers to say so (41%, versus 11% of Gen Xers). At the same time, Gen […]

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2022 IFIC Food & Health Survey: Spotlight On Snacking

Whether it’s salty or sweet—or, for many, a mix of both!—Americans are no strangers to snacks. But what exactly are Americans’ preferences when it comes to the kinds of snacks they eat, and why do they snack in the first place? IFIC’s 17th annual 2022 Food and Health Survey included questions exploring Americans’ behaviors and perceptions surrounding snacking. Frequency of Snacking If you find yourself reaching for a snack throughout the day, you’re not alone. In fact, nearly three in four survey respondents (73%) reported snacking at least once a day. Specifically, 34% reported snacking once a day, while 25% reported snacking twice a day and 14% said they snack three or more times a day. It’s worth noting that snacking frequency has increased substantially since last year. When looking at past Food and Health Surveys, frequency of snacking was fairly steady: 58% reported snacking at least once a day or more in the 2021 Survey, 59% said the same in the 2020 Survey, and 57% said the same in the 2019 Survey. What might account for this year’s jump to 73%? Stress may have played a role. This year’s survey found that 56% of Americans reported being “very” or “somewhat” stressed in the last six months. Those who reported being “very” stressed in the past six months were more likely to say they snacked at least once a day (81% versus 72% of those who were somewhat stressed and 65% of those who were not stressed). The influence of stress on eating-related decisions is notable. Results from the American Psychological Association’s Stress in America 2022: Concerned for the Future, Beset by Inflation survey found that 76% of adults reported that facets of their lives were negatively impacted when stressed, with eating habits being among the top aspects that were impacted. In […]

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IFIC Spotlight Survey: Perceptions On Processed: Consumer Sentiment & Purchasing Habits In 2022

The International Food Information Council (IFIC) commissioned an online research survey with consumers based in the US to measure knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about processed foods. One thousand adults aged 18+ years completed the survey from September 7-13, 2022, and responses were weighted to ensure proportional results.  Key findings include:  

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