In the second November 2025 column, Ian Thomas reviews the Food Standards Agency’s recent ‘Food and You 2’ survey results focusing on safety and food information, the FHRS and allergens.
The FSA’s ‘Food and You 2’ survey measures consumers’ self-reported knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of a selection of food-related matters. The most recent survey was published in September 2025 and contains many statistics revealing contemporary consumer attitudes across several food related topics.
In this brief article, we comment on three; safety and food information, the FHRS and allergens.
Safety and food information
Recent figures published by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) reveal that consumers are reporting increased confidence in the safety of the food they purchase and in the accuracy of food information.
In the most recent survey, published in late September 2025, 94% of respondents reported that they are confident that the food they buy is safe to eat. The same survey indicated that 86% of respondents indicated a confidence that information on food labels is accurate. Both these figures show an increase from previous surveys where the figures were 88-90% and 81-83% respectively.
These responses are based on two questions, ‘How confident are you that the food you buy is safe to eat and how confident are you that the information on food labels is accurate (for example, ingredients, nutritional information, country of origin). The respondents could answer very confident, fairly confident, not very confident, not at all confident, it varies, don’t know.
The above figures of 94% and 86% are based on consumers being either ‘very’ or ‘fairly’ confident.
FHRS
The Survey also asked consumers about their awareness of the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) in place in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
When deciding where to eat out (e.g. a restaurant, café or pub), the top three factors were, quality of the food, previous experience of the establishment and the price. The food hygiene rating was taken into account by 41% of respondents.
The top three factors taken into account when ordering takeaway, reflected the same top three as for eating out, but only 35% of respondents had regard to the food hygiene rating.
It is notable that the Survey records that although 89% of respondents had heard of the FHRS, only 62% said that they had at least a bit of knowledge about it.
Only 44% of respondents reported checking the food hygiene rating of a business in the previous 12 months (this occurred most in respect of restaurants and takeaways).
Allergens
The Survey contains a lot of information relating to consumers with a food hypersensitivity (allergy, intolerance or coeliac disease).
Respondents with a food hypersensitivity were asked how confident they are in avoiding a bad or unpleasant reaction to food. The percentage of respondents expressing confidence is: 71% in food made to order in a restaurant or café, 69% in pre-packaged food bought in a shop or café, 53% in food ordered directly from a takeaway or restaurant and only 43% in food ordered through an online ordering and delivery company.
Comment
Surveys such as the FSA ‘Food and You 2’ can help to identify contemporary views and trends and understand gaps where the food industry and its advisers need to focus on improving compliance to better protect consumers.
It is positive to see that confidence in food safety and food information is increasing, although it is not always easy to fully understand the reasons for this.
The FHRS is clearly playing a part in providing information about hygiene conditions. However, it does not always feature high on the list of factors affecting consumer decision-making.
The figures for consumers with a food hypersensitivity show that improvements are required by food businesses particularly those involved in distance selling. Not only are consumers being put at risk, but businesses are missing a trick in failing to tap into a significant cohort of consumers who will spend money where they are assured about their health and safety.
The FSA Food and You 2 Survey is at Food and You 2 Wave 10 Key Findings
This article is provided for information only. It is not and does not purport to be legal advice. Specific advice should be taken before doing anything or refraining from doing anything based on the content of this article.
