Numbers listed reflect percentages.
When shopping for food, how often do you search the label for information regarding each of the following ingredients:
Non-GMO/GMO-free
Always | 22 |
Sometimes | 27 |
Rarely | 20 |
Never | 31 |
Gluten-free
Always | 14 |
Sometimes | 22 |
Rarely | 21 |
Never | 43 |
Natural
Always | 27 |
Sometimes | 38 |
Rarely | 16 |
Never | 19 |
Bioengineered
Always | 13 |
Sometimes | 22 |
Rarely | 21 |
Never | 44 |
Low sodium
Always | 23 |
Sometimes | 36 |
Rarely | 20 |
Never | 21 |
Location of production
Always | 17 |
Sometimes | 33 |
Rarely | 22 |
Never | 38 |
Clean
Always | 32 |
Sometimes | 26 |
Rarely | 16 |
Never | 26 |
Smart
Always | 17 |
Sometimes | 23 |
Rarely | 22 |
Never | 38 |
Organic
Always | 21 |
Sometimes | 32 |
Rarely | 22 |
Never | 25 |
How often do you purchase organic foods?
Always | 13 |
Sometimes | 46 |
Rarely | 25 |
Never | 16 |
Why do you buy organic foods?
Respondents were allowed to choose more than one option.
To avoid pesticides | 36 |
To avoid GMOs | 27 |
Organic food is healthier | 41 |
Organic food is safer | 33 |
Organic food is more natural | 40 |
Better for the environment | 26 |
Animal welfare | 13 |
My doctor suggests it | 9 |
Friends/family eat organic . | 15 |
Support local farmers | 27 |
Not sure | 11 |
Other | 5 |
Why do you not buy organic foods?
Respondents were allowed to choose more than one option.
Too expensive | 57 |
Not healthier than any other foods | 26 |
Not safer than any other foods | 22 |
Never considered it/don't pay attention | 26 |
Better for the environment | 1 |
Animal welfare | 1 |
Not sure | 16 |
Other | 2 |
Do you take steps to reduce the amount of food waste at home?
Yes | 86 |
No | 14 |
Why do you not take steps to reduce food waste at home?
Respondents were allowed to choose more than one option.
I am not familiar with the term "food waste" | 9 |
I do not know how to reduce food waste | 22 |
I am not concerned about food waste | 18 |
I do not waste food at home | 38 |
I do not have time | 10 |
Prefer not to answer | 12 |
Please indicate how much you agree or disagree with the following statement: All food with deoxyribonucleic acid should be labeled.
Agree somewhat or completely | 49 |
Neither agree nor disagree | 43 |
Disagree somewhat or completely | 8 |
Using a 1 to 5 scale, where 1 is not at all influential and 5 is very influential, how influential are food labels in your buying decisions?
Influential or very influential (4-5) | 60 |
Some influence (3) | 27 |
No influence (1-2) | 13 |
Using a 1 to 5 scale, where 1 is much lower than an average person and 5 is much higher than an average person, how would you rank your understanding of the global food system?
Higher than average (4-5) | 37 |
Average (3) | 42 |
Lower than average (1-2) | 21 |
How often do you seek information about where your food was grown and how it was produced?
Every day | 10 |
At least once a week | 20 |
At least once a month | 19 |
Less than once a month | 28 |
Never | 23 |
Using a 1 to 5 scale, where 1 is do not trust at all and 5 is completely trust, how much do you trust the following individuals or groups when it comes to the health and safety of food?
Scientists employed by government agencies, such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Trust (4-5) | 45 |
Neither trust nor distrust (3) | 31 |
Distrust (1-2) | 24 |
Scientists employed by private corporations
Trust(4-5) | 30 |
Neither trust nor distrust (3) | 36 |
Distrust (1-2) | 34 |
Scientists employed by academic institutions
Trust (4-5) | 52 |
Neither trust nor distrust (3) | 32 |
Distrust (1-2) | 16 |
When it comes to nutrition and health, where do you turn most frequently for information?
Friends/family | 17 |
My doctor | 32 |
Books | 6 |
Magazines (i.e. "Dr. Oz," "Oprah") | 4 |
Blogs | 5 |
Television | 6 |
Social media | 12 |
Scientific journals/academic research | 18 |
Methodology
The Michigan State University Food Literacy and Engagement Poll was conducted online between August 6-9, 2018 among 2,058 U.S. residents aged 18 and over. Figures for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. The poll is administered by Toluna, NA, a leader in online research that manages one of the world’s largest internet-based research panels with more than 4.5 million registered and active users.
All surveys are subject to multiple sources of error. Most of these errors are often impossible to quantify. In addition to sampling error, these errors include coverage error, non-response error, interviewer bias when appropriate, and the error associated with how a question is asked or the response options given. The overall margin of error would be 3 percentage points at the widest interval.
© 2018 Michigan State University