admin The Covid-19 pandemic has produced far-reaching consequences in every domain of our existence- including our food consumption patterns. According to the data released by the International Food Information Council (IFIC) after a response analysis of the 2020 Food and Health Survey conducted by the organization some blatant realities of consumption came to light.
Rationale for the Survey Questions
Joseph Clayton, the Chief Executive Officer of the IFIC asserted, “COVID-19 has upended virtually every aspect of our daily lives, While new vaccines and treatments will hopefully help turn the tide, IFIC’s survey data suggest that some of the changes we’ve undergone are proving durable, even many months later. Drawing on IFIC’s expertise in nutrition, food safety, and consumer attitudes and behaviors, we believe the pandemic will continue to be the dominant force behind a wide array of food trends in the coming year.”
Trends Distilled
Out of the total number of people surveyed, 85% of the American sample said that they had experienced at least some change in their consumption patterns or food preparation habits over the bygone year. Moreover, they also agreed that this effect was not going to fade away in 2021. According to the other aspects of the data collected, the top food safety related concern was the risk related to food handling and preparation in the Covid era. This trend significantly outpaced the concern regarding bacteria caused foodborne illnesses. 39% of respondents also stated that Covid related risks during food shopping and dining out were the most significant food safety concerns for them during the upcoming months of 2021.
36% of Americans agreed to cooking simpler food items, while 30% ventured into cooking new dishes and trying new cooking techniques. However, a more concerning reading of the data revealed that 3%-10% of the sample suggested a strain on being able to afford food in 2021.
Changes Anticipated
The anticipation remains that this novel food-related concern will be addressed by corresponding technical advancements that mitigate the threats in 2021. For instance, minimization of face-to-face interactions, robotic food handling, etc. The implementation of AI and ML in the food delivery industry will also potentially witness an exponential growth. Consumers can also expect the growth of semi-homemade dishes- combining both staples as well as canned and frozen items- offered at affordable price points.
Magazine 
