Dec 17 2009
When Americans were asked which were the most
memorable food stories of 2009, food health and safety stories topped the
list. The seventh annual year-end survey commissioned by Hunter Public
Relations, a leading public relations firm specializing in the food and
beverage industry, revealed the following as the three most memorable
food-related stories of 2009:
#1: Food Safety Concerns
The biggest story of the year was the issue of food safety. From E. coli
in ground beef to salmonella poisoning in nuts, thousands of Americans have
been sickened, prompting food recalls of everything from baby food to green
onions.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates 76
million cases of food borne illnesses occur annually in the U.S.; more than
300,000 persons are hospitalized and 5,000 die.
#2: Newly Poor Swelling Lines at Food Banks
Stories related to the weak economy played a prominent role in 2009. The
second biggest story of the year was the increase in demand at food banks,
with food pantries opening their doors to rapidly expanding numbers of
hungry Americans.
- Feeding America, the nation's largest hunger-relief charity, reported
that requests for emergency food assistance rose by 30% in 2009.
#3: Consumers Cut Food Spending Sharply
The third biggest story of 2009 was also related to the economy, as
Americans sharply curtailed spending on food by dining out less, opting for
generic products over brand names and choosing to cook at home more. This
has significantly hurt sales and profits at many food processors, grocery
chains and restaurants.
- A HealthFocus International study indicated that nearly three-quarters
of American shoppers showed a higher level of concern about the cost of
groceries this year.
TOP FOOD STORIES OF THE DECADE
This decade has witnessed a dramatic transformation in the way Americans
shop for, eat and think about food. When Americans were asked to recall the
top food stories of the decade, nutritional concerns and food safety
garnered the top spots. In the survey commissioned by Hunter Public
Relations, a leading public relations firm specializing in the food and
beverage industry, Americans voted the following as the three most
memorable food-related stories of the decade:
#1: Childhood obesity
With the number of obese schoolchildren continuing to grow year after year,
childhood obesity became a major national concern. The FTC and the
Department of Health and Human Services continue to urge food companies to
develop products that are more nutritious and to review and revise their
marketing practices.
- According to the CDC, 16% of American children -- over 9 million -- are
obese.
#2: Mad Cow Disease
Americans felt that Mad Cow disease, which first hit the United Kingdom in
1993 and has infected over 189,000 cattle to date, was one of the most
significant food stories of the decade. By October 2009, the human strain
of the disease had killed 165 people in Britain and 44 elsewhere.
- Due to concerns that U.S. livestock regulations lack sufficient rigor,
65 nations have implemented restrictions on importing U.S. beef
products.
#3: Rise of Food Safety Concerns
In addition to being the top food story of 2009, food safety was also one
of the biggest issues of the decade. Millions of consumers were sickened
from E. coli or salmonella poisoning in their foods, and hundreds of
worldwide recalls have been issued.
- This current Hunter Public Relations survey found that Americans ages
55+ were far more likely than other age groups to select food safety as the
most significant story of the decade.
SOURCE: Hunter Public Relations