61% of consumers believe that there are health benefits in modern food processing. With changing consumer preferences and trends driving innovation in the food industry, we investigate what it means to choose ‘fresh’ over processed and whether it’s possible to truly buy food that’s straight from the ground or tree it grew from, or the farm it was reared on.
How Consumer Perceptions are Challenging the Processed Food Industry
Today’s health-conscious consumer tends to think twice while walking down the processed food aisle. Rather than thinking of the convenience of the products, they are now considering the perceived low nutritional quality and negative news stories.
The same consumer is laden down by a busier lifestyle and may not have the luxury of time to prepare a fresh meal three times a day. Studies show that around 70% of the people eat at their desks. This presents quite a dilemma to the food and retail industries.
Consumer perception of processed foods
According to a study carried out by the International Food Information Council (IFIC), consumers have a negative attitude towards and an increasing awareness of processed food. For the study, 1500 adults who identified as the primary grocery shoppers were interviewed.
The results showed that 43% were not in favour of the consumption of processed food; a perception found across all demographics and age groups.
Processed food industry specialists
The food value chain is complex, deeply interconnected, and crucial to the overall safety and delivery of food products. In recent years, however, rising consumer demand for healthy, sustainable, and responsible food products have disrupted traditional value chains, with many consumers wary of the way we process, manufacture, and deliver food.
At Farrelly Mitchell, we are acutely aware of shifting consumer preferences, and deliver bespoke strategies to businesses across the value chain to satisfy consumer demands. We have extensive experience across the chain, ranging from processing & manufacturing to sales & distribution and foodservice & retail, providing us with a holistic understanding of value chains. With our help you can improve food safety, establish traceability & transparency, improve supply chain optimisation, and develop innovative new products and strategies. Contact us today to learn more.
