NEW STUDY SHOWS BRITISH CONSUMERS DEMAND FOR ANIMAL WELLNESS IN FOOD PRODUCTION
Oxford, UK (February 06, 2024) – NSF, a leading global public health organization, announced today the results of a recent study on UK consumers’ attitudes towards animal wellness and its impact on their purchasing decisions. The study revealed a significant shift towards ethical consumerism, with a majority of Brits calling for clear animal wellness transparency and compliance from food companies.
The study, conducted by NSF, confirms that British consumers are highly conscious of animal wellness in food production. A significant majority of 68% place importance on companies demonstrating transparency and compliance in animal wellness throughout their global supply chains. This demand for ethical consumerism is growing, as data from the UK government shows that the demand for meat is at an all-time low.
Dr. Elaine Vanier, a veterinarian and the animal wellness program lead for NSF, stated, “Animal wellness should not be a marginal concern for brands anymore; it’s a defining feature of ethical consumerism that is increasingly impacting purchasing decisions.” She further explained that animal wellness refers to the quality of life experienced by animals in the food supply chain, including physical and psychological health, living conditions, and how animals are handled and treated. This substantially impacts sustainability, product food safety, and the responsible use of antibiotics and medication.
The key findings from the study include:
– 68% of UK consumers say animal wellness is either very or extremely important to purchasing decisions.
– 72% of UK consumers said it was very important or extremely important that companies demonstrate consistency and compliance with animal wellness throughout their supply chain.
– 73% declared they are more likely to purchase a product that has been certified for animal wellness by a third party, especially those between the 30-44 age group, who were 87% more likely.
– Only 13% said they would be unwilling to pay a higher price for products certified for animal wellness.
– 84% expect animal products sold by international brands to comply with animal wellness standards, which rises to over 90% for Brits aged 30-44.
– Only 3 in 10 said they were very or extremely informed of UK animal wellness standards.
The study also revealed that animal welfare labels are often misinterpreted, highlighting the need for consumer education. “Our findings highlight a disconnect between consumer perceptions and the real standards behind labels,” Dr. Vanier commented. She stressed the importance of clear, certified labeling to bridge this gap and provide consumers with the assurance they seek when making ethical food choices.
For food manufacturing and agricultural companies, NSF’s research indicates that investing in animal wellness is not just a moral obligation or marketing trend, but a strategic imperative. Dale Newitt, Director of Supply Chain Food Safety at NSF, stated, “It’s clear that a significant majority of British consumers understand that animal wellness comes at a price, with only 13% reluctant to pay more for animal wellness-certified products.” He added, “This speaks volumes about the UK’s consumer conscience and their readiness to invest in ethical and sustainable choices.”
Newitt also emphasized the impact of this demand on global players, stating that 84% of British consumers expect international brands to not just meet but uphold animal wellness standards. “This is a clarion call for global players to align with UK standards of animal care or risk losing relevance in this key market,” he said.
NSF encourages retailers, producers, and food brands to embrace independent animal wellness certifications such as NSF GAWS as a robust framework for delivering on the promise of animal wellness. This commitment benefits all parties involved, offering long-term advantages such as reduced antibiotic use, improved feed efficiency, higher yields, and better product grading.
With the growing consumer demand for ethical food production, NSF stands prepared to guide and support the industry with expertise and solutions to advance global animal wellness. For more information on animal wellness and NSF, visit www.nsf.org.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.