11.01.07
According to the International Food Information Council’s (IFIC) 2007 survey, “Consumer Attitudes toward Functional Foods/Foods for Health,” U.S. consumers are more interested in functional foods than ever before. In fact, compared to previous IFIC surveys, more Americans report being likely to begin eating specific food components and nutrients for their health benefits. Some of the top functional foods on consumers’ minds are: fruits and vegetables, green tea, nuts, and fish, fish oil and seafood.
Data also indicate that a majority of consumers believe they have a lot more control over their health (63%). But when they do worry, they are most likely to cite heart issues, weight and cancer as their top health concerns. All of this bodes well for functional foods, especially since 75% of consumers feel nutrition plays the greatest role in health. Perhaps most encouraging, though, is that 92% of those surveyed could name a specific food and its associated health benefit. For example, consumers were able to identify oats/oat bran, cereal, fish/fish oil, garlic, whole grains, low-fat foods and fiber as having some benefit in the area of cardiovascular health. But consumers want to know more. Eighty-four percent of consumers are either “somewhat interested” or “highly interested” in becoming more educated about foods with added benefits. (For more details on this survey, see the side bar “U.S. Consumers are Hungry for Functional Foods” in this month’s Functional Foods Update, which starts on page 36.)
Data also indicate that a majority of consumers believe they have a lot more control over their health (63%). But when they do worry, they are most likely to cite heart issues, weight and cancer as their top health concerns. All of this bodes well for functional foods, especially since 75% of consumers feel nutrition plays the greatest role in health. Perhaps most encouraging, though, is that 92% of those surveyed could name a specific food and its associated health benefit. For example, consumers were able to identify oats/oat bran, cereal, fish/fish oil, garlic, whole grains, low-fat foods and fiber as having some benefit in the area of cardiovascular health. But consumers want to know more. Eighty-four percent of consumers are either “somewhat interested” or “highly interested” in becoming more educated about foods with added benefits. (For more details on this survey, see the side bar “U.S. Consumers are Hungry for Functional Foods” in this month’s Functional Foods Update, which starts on page 36.)
