Kerry, the world’s leading taste and nutrition company, has today released new research which reveals that consumers’ expectations around sustainability are rapidly evolving with a growing number demanding increased sustainability benefits from their food and beverage products. The survey of over 14,000 consumers across 18 countries uncovers key consumer associations with sustainability and is one of the largest surveys of this type ever to be undertaken.
The research shows that 49% of consumers are now considering sustainability when buying food and drink and that their understanding of the issue is evolving from environmental and social responsibility to including sustainable wellbeing and sustainable nutrition. This means that typical associations with sustainability such as sustainable packaging and environmental preservation are now considered to be standard for many consumers. Consumers, particularly those in more sustainability-mature markets such as United Kingdom, Benelux and France are now considering sustainability as something that directly impacts them, and upon which they can have an impact, such as food waste reduction, personal health and nutrition and clean label claims such as ‘locally sourced,’ ‘no artificial ingredients’ and ‘organic.’