In a poll commissioned by the Center for Responsible Food Business, 51% of Americans say they are more worried about health and safety versus 25% who select the economic and price impact of the outbreak. Nearly half of Americans (47%) agree they are “worried about the health and safety of myself or my family when I buy eggs.” The same percentage, 47%, plan to now buy fewer eggs.
The study finds 65% of Americans believe the USDA should be testing eggs for avian flu versus 12% who do not. The USDA is currently testing milk for avian flu but not chicken eggs. Similarly, 62% of Americans believe egg producers should be testing eggs for avian flu.
The survey finds that more Americans believe we should “fix how we produce eggs,” with 54% saying that America “should limit the size of large-scale, industrial factory egg farms while helping family farmers.” And 50% of Americans are concerned that industrial egg farming may lead to future pandemics, with only 18% disagreeing.
“Egg producers and regulators need to step up," says Taylor Warren, President of the Center for Responsible Food Business. "The fact that a majority of Americans want mandatory testing for avian flu shows that the public is ahead of policymakers on this issue. Ignoring these concerns will only further erode trust in the food system.”
Key findings:
- 69% of respondents are concerned about avian flu.
- 51% of Americans say they are more worried about health and safety versus 25% who select the economic and price impact of the outbreak.
- 7% of Americans plan to eat fewer eggs in the coming months. Only 6% plan to eat more.
- 67% of Americans want to see more done to ensure egg safety (80% of Democrats, 63% of Independents and 58% of Republicans).
- Concern about the avian flu and the health and safety of eggs cuts across partisanship, gaining majorities among Republicans, Democrats and Independents.
