An equal number of respondents believe that COVID-19 is a “real threat”. At the same time, concern for the environment remains high, which Tetra Pak says creates a dilemma in the minds of consumers as they try to balance the priorities of human existence through safe food and planetary sustainability.
The 13th edition of the Tetra Pak Index shows a 10% increase in global concern about food safety and future food supplies, now to 40%, compared to 30% from 2019. In addition, more than 50% of consumers believe that increased safety food is the responsibility of producers, and it is the number one problem that companies need to address now and in the future.
According to research this year, health is strongly associated with increasing food safety and hygiene issues, with two-thirds of consumers saying health is safe and 60% of consumers worldwide saying they are concerned that the food they buy is hygienic and safe.
When asked what is the key to them in a package, consumers indicated ensuring food safety is their main goal. They also expressed concern about environmental innovations in packaging having an impact on food safety, although the majority of respondents cited ‘using sustainable packaging’ as one of the main issues that food and beverage brands need to address – today and tomorrow.
Adolfo Orive, president and CEO, Tetra Pak, said, “The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the status quo, accelerated trends and created new landscapes for consumer needs and opportunities to develop. In particular, industry needs to address the growing dilemma around food security and the environment, stepping towards the dual goal of meeting human food needs while protecting our planet’s ecosystem. This is where food packaging can play a powerful role in bringing about harmony. ” person
The Tetra Pak Index 2020 also highlights how food waste has become increasingly important, and this is now seen as a concern by over 77% of respondents. The impact of COVID-19 on the supply chain has accelerated awareness of food waste as a pressing issue. Tetra Pak says there is a chance this sentiment will develop in the future, as the world tries to feed a growing population.
Consumers call reducing food waste the number one environmental problem they can affect and one of the top three priorities for producers. But confusing labeling is a barrier, offering brands the opportunity for better communication.
When asked which global issues they believed they could impact, 47% chose “preventing food waste” followed by 40% for “single-use plastics” and 37% for “tackling packaging waste.”
In the survey, 39% of global consumers said they throw away food that smells and looks good because the “best before” date has passed, even if it doesn’t smell or looks bad, and 67% think a product may not be safe for consumption after this date has passed. .
Dan Esty, Professor Hillhouse at Yale University, and chair of the Tetra Pak sustainability advisory panel, said, “This year’s Tetra Pak Index highlights emerging consumer and social issues, which we see increasingly reflected in academic research. With a growing global population that will require up to 70% more food by 2050, at a time when biodiversity, climate change and food security become increasingly urgent, there is an urgent need for change.. “
The Ipsos study is based on data from: A global survey of 8,501 consumers from Australia, Brazil, China, France, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia and the US; an online social media study analyzing approximately 75,000 online consumer conversations in the US and India over the 24 months to June 2020, including text and image-based data sources; and review of existing data and reports.
The data collected for the 2020 Index Report is supplemented by data from Tetra Pak’s latest environmental survey, the 2020 Consumer Environmental Trends Report. Conducted in July 2020, the survey consisted of a total of 4,800 consumer interviews based on online questionnaires across 16 markets. : Brazil, Chile, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, UK and US.
