Report: Consumers want stronger federal standards for ‘natural’ food labeling
Consumer Reports released the results of a new survey Tuesday showing that more shoppers are looking for stronger federal standards on their food labels, especially in regards to foods labeled “natural.”
The survey found that 73 percent of shoppers are seeking out and buying foods labeled as “natural”—even more often than food labeled “organic”—though there are no real standards attached to the term’s usage.
The findings come on the same day the FDA closed the public comment period for what the “natural” food label should mean. According to Consumer Reports, its research center collected more than 250,000 signatures from concerned shoppers for a petition demanding that the FDA either establish strong standards or ban the “natural” label.
But shoppers’ desires for labeling standards doesn’t stop at “natural” food.
Consumers are looking for uniform USDA standards across companies, especially regarding the meat and fish industries, according to the survey. A vast majority of consumers, 94 percent, said all companies should meet the same standards for labels on meat, and 93 percent said they want to legally require genetically modified salmon be labeled as such.
As for eggs, a hot topic in Massachusetts pending its potential appearance on voters’ ballots this November, 88 percent of consumers believe a humanely raised claim on eggs, dairy, and meat should mean that the farm was inspected to verify that claim, according to the findings—something which is not currently mandated.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com