New research shows consumers trust farmers to protect produce safety

A new survey conducted by the Alliance for Food and Farming reveals that 76% of consumers say they have confidence in farmers to protect produce safety.

Government agencies are also trusted by consumers, according to a news release about the survey, with 78% percent of survey participants saying they were confident in regulatory systems in place to protect public health.

“For those of us who represent farmers, it is incumbent on us to continue to share information about farming practices, government safety requirements and regulations, as well as the care farmers and farm workers take every day to produce these healthy foods,” the Alliance for Food and Farming said in the release.

Produce safety concerns have decreased by 20% since the last survey by the alliance in 2016, according to the release. In addition, concerns about residues have also dropped by 10%, the release said.

The alliance said that a primary focus of the research was to share with participants safety information specific to pesticide residues, as well as regulations and practices on pathogen prevention. 

“This information generated strongly positive results, with 76% to 83% of survey respondents stating they were confident in the safety of produce after reading each statement,” the group said in the release. More information about the survey can be found here.