News

Animal welfare top of consumer concerns

A new report says consumers are more concerned today about how food animals are being raised than just a few years ago.

A recent online survey of 2,000 consumers found nearly 60 percent care about the health and well-being of animals raised for food. Concern about animal welfare includes how they are handled from life to death, housing, food and water, and antibiotic use.

More than 70 percent of respondents believe meat, poultry and other products in the dairy case from animals that are raised in healthier environments will be of higher quality, healthier, more nutritious and even more flavorful.

The report says growing interest in animal welfare is also tied to increased concerns about the safety of the food supply and sustainability.

At the same time, food companies are taking greater steps to improve the quality of life of animals by setting standards for suppliers to become more competitive among Millennial and Gen Z consumers.

The survey by Packaged Facts found more than 20 percent of consumers are purposefully cutting back on red meat in the last few years, with almost half of them believing consumption of vegetarian sources of protein is better for the environment.