Contemporary Food Issues

Question 1

What factors affect consumers food choice?

Answer 1

• Budget (lower income families may purchase cheap and convenience foods instead of fresh food because they can’t afford fresh).
• Lifestyle (Individuals who are more active are more likely to purchase food that are healthy and vice versa).
• Stress and anxiety (this will affect how consumers eat because they might ‘comfort eat’ to make themselves feel better).
• Nutritional Knowledge (people who are more educated in healthy eating and the correct intake of nutrients may choose foods that contribute towards a well-balanced diet).
• Advertising (advertising can be very persuasive and encourage people to try foods they haven’t before).
• Health issues (consumers may suffer from diet-related disorders or diet-restricting disorders and may need to purchase certain foods to improve or control their condition).
• Likes & Dislikes
• Food Allergies

Question 2

What does organic produce mean?

Answer 2

Organic produce is now very popular in the UK. However, it is a strictly regulated method of food production and is monitored very carefully from farm to production. Organic Produce is a sustainable farming method that adheres to certain principles:

• No artificial fertilisers, chemicals or pesticides.
• The use of drugs or antibiotics are banned from animals.
• Genetically modifies crops and ingredients are banned.