New research from Kemin Industries shows that the majority of grocery shoppers read ingredient labels before making meat purchases at least sometimes. The study, conducted by Harris Poll on behalf of Kemin and highlighted at this year’s IFT Food Expo in New Orleans, investigates how certain preservatives found in processed meats can influence consumer purchase decisions.

Preservatives are necessary to keep ready-to-eat (RTE) meat and poultry products safe from foodborne pathogens. With a number of preservatives available, manufacturers must consider effectiveness, usage levels and consumer preferences when selecting ingredients to protect the integrity of their formulations and meet consumer desires.

The online survey of 1,004 U.S. adults, 18 and older (claiming to be the primary grocery shopper for their household), conducted in April 2014, found that 81 percent of grocery shoppers commonly turn to the refrigerated section and 46 percent commonly turn to the deli/meat counter of their favorite grocery store when purchasing meat or meat products for their families. In addition, 86 percent of consumers read the ingredient label always or sometimes when making these purchases and 34 percent always read the label. The largest health-related motivators for reading labels were diabetes/blood sugar, hypertension/heart disease and cholesterol. However, these health concerns may relate to common ingredients of avoidance such as sugar, sodium or fat.

“This research reveals that ingredient labeling and consumer perception is an important factor when it comes to purchase decisions,” said Brittany Bailey, product manager for the food technologies division of Kemin. “We are committed to providing the industry with ingredients backed by science that improve the safety and quality of food, and it is our hope that this study will provide value to manufacturers and industry leaders working to produce safe and nutritious food that meet consumer demands.”

Time-tested and scientifically proven, Kemin Industries’ food safety platform is designed to increase the safety of meat and poultry products, while addressing consumer concerns. The company manufacturers BactoCEASE liquid buffered propionic acid designed to protect ready-to-eat meat and poultry products from Listeria monocytogenes and extend product shelf-life.

This survey was conducted online by Harris Poll on behalf of Kemin Industries April 4-10, 2014 among 1,004 U.S. adults (aged 18+) who describe themselves as the primary grocery shopper for their household. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.

Kemin (www.kemin.com) provides “inspired molecular solutions” specifically developed to provide nutrition and health benefits for people and animals. Committed to feed and food safety, Kemin maintains top-of-the-line manufacturing facilities where approximately 500 specialty ingredients are made for the global feed and food industries as well as the health, nutrition and beauty markets. A privately held, family-owned and operated company, Kemin has nearly 2,000 employees and operates in 90 countries with manufacturing facilities in Belgium, Brazil, China, India, Italy, Singapore, South Africa and the United States.