NSF Research Shows Majority of Brits Call for Transparency and Compliance in Animal Wellness from Food Companies
Oxford, UK – A recent study conducted by NSF, the leading global public health organization, reveals that a significant shift towards ethical consumerism is underway in the UK. The study, released on Tuesday 6 February, 2024, highlights the growing importance of animal wellness in food production and its impact on British consumers’ purchasing decisions.
According to the study, 68% of UK consumers consider animal wellness to be either very or extremely important in their purchasing decisions. In addition, 72% believe it is crucial for companies to demonstrate consistency and compliance with animal wellness throughout their supply chain. This growing demand for ethical consumerism is also reflected in the fact that only 13% of consumers are unwilling to pay a higher price for products certified for animal wellness.
Dr. Elaine Vanier, a veterinarian and the animal wellness program lead for NSF, emphasizes the importance of animal wellness in the food industry. “Animal wellness should not be a marginal concern for brands anymore; it’s a defining feature of ethical consumerism that is increasingly impacting purchasing decisions,” said Dr. Vanier. “Our research reiterates the weight consumers place on this matter. We are increasingly called upon to support brands committed to putting these values into practice across their entire protein supply chain.”
The study also found that 84% of consumers expect animal products sold by international brands to comply with animal wellness standards, with this number rising to over 90% for Brits aged 30-44. However, only 3 in 10 consumers feel very or extremely informed about UK animal wellness standards, highlighting a need for consumer education.
NSF encourages retailers, producers, and food brands to embrace independent animal wellness certifications such as NSF GAWS as a robust framework for delivering on the promise of animal wellness. This commitment benefits all parties involved, offering long-term advantages such as reduced antibiotic use, improved feed efficiency, higher yields, and better product grading.
Dale Newitt, Director of Supply Chain Food Safety at NSF, emphasizes the importance of meeting consumer demand for ethical food production. “British consumers are sending a powerful message across borders: 84% expect international brands to not just meet but uphold animal wellness standards. This is a clarion call for global players to align with UK standards of animal care or risk losing relevance in this key market,” said Newitt.
NSF stands prepared to guide and support the industry with expertise and solutions to advance global animal wellness as the demand for ethical consumerism continues to grow. For more information on animal wellness and NSF, visit www.nsf.org.
About NSF: NSF is a global public health organization that provides independent, third-party certification and auditing services for the food and beverage industry. With the growing consumer demand for ethical food production, NSF stands prepared to guide and support the industry with expertise and solutions to advance global animal wellness.
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