Survey Shows UK Public More Aware of Food Safety and Hygiene Since Beginning of Pandemic
A recent poll of 2,182 UK adults found that more than half of consumers classify themselves as becoming more conscious of food safety and hygiene at food outlets since the beginning of the pandemic. The poll was conducted online by YouGov for British Standards Institution (BSI) after the government's Eat Out to Help Out program. The program ran in August and provided discounts on the cost of food and non-alcoholic drinks for sit-down dining at participating businesses. The survey found that there has been a shift in consumers’ confidence around food safety and hygiene due to COVID-19 in the UK.
The survey found that there has been a shift in consumers confidence around food safety and hygiene due to COVID-19 in the UK.
The BSI found increased consciousness of food safety and hygiene when eating out. Pubs, chain restaurants, and independent coffee shops and restaurants were the places that respondents were most concerned about. These sites have been able to reopen outdoor dining in the past week.
More than three quarters of the consumers surveyed said that they would not eat at a food outlet due to a lack of confidence, and 65 percent said they would avoid eating a food outlet if they were not confident in the outlet's food safety standards.
A third of consumers who eat out or have food delivered said they would be reassured if a venue declared its COVID-safe measures. More than half surveyed reported that certification by a third-party provider would increase their trust, and 54 percent said a "BSI Kitemark," a quality mark owned and operated by BSI, would help rebuild their confidence in hygiene and food safety standards.
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