Food choice

Question 1

Personal factors that affect food choice:

Answer 1

Personal factors that come into play when choosing food might include:

• Likes and dislikes
• Age
• Lifestyle
• Occupation

Question 2

Social factors that affect food choice:

Answer 2

As consumers we are influenced by those around us, therefore we may tend to purchase what our friends or family purchase.

For example, adult consumers may be influenced by advice from friends on where to shop for the best value, while adolescent consumers may want the latest fizzy drink that all their friends are buying.

Question 3

Economic Factors that affect food choice:

Answer 3

Consumers with a high income can afford to spend money on luxury foods - like prawns or fillet steak. Consumers on a tight budget due to a low income or large family, may tend to spend money in cheaper outlets.

Question 4

Religious Factors that affect food choice:

Answer 4

Religious factors can have a major influence on what foods we buy.

For example, Muslims will not eat meat such as beef or lamb that has not been slaughtered by the halal method, while those of the Jewish religion will only eat foods that are Kosher.

Question 5

Cultural Factors that affect food choice:

Answer 5

Where we are from and our culture will also influence our food purchases.

For example, Polish or Chinese consumers will tend to purchase foods they are familiar with.

Question 6

Ethical & Environmental Factors that affect food choice:

Answer 6

An ethical consumer will care deeply about where their food comes from and the welfare of the animals and people involved in making that food.

They will look for the following factors:

• Organic produce
• Fairtrade produce
• Local produce

Question 7

Organic produce:

Answer 7

Organic produce – ethical consumers tend to buy organic produce as it is produced in a way that protects the environment.

Question 8

Fairtrade produce:

Answer 8

Fairtrade produce – ethical consumers tend to buy Fairtrade produce, for example bananas or chocolate, as the farmers responsible for producing the product have been given a fair price for their produce.

Question 9

Local Produce:

Answer 9

Local produce – ethical consumers often like to support local farmers. For example, consumers from Northern Ireland may like to purchase apples that have been grown in County Armagh as this reduces food miles.

Question 10

Health issues that affect food choice:

Answer 10

Factors affecting the health of individual consumers can have a major influence on their choice of food.

For example, consumers who suffer from an allergy or intolerance will avoid purchasing foods that contain the product they are allergic to.

Consumers who want to follow a healthy balanced diet and reduce their risk of dietary related disorders, such as cardiovascular disease or hypertension, may choose to purchase products that are low in fat or salt.