Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Restaurant Nutrition Information Demands on the Rise

For health-conscious consumers, eating out can be a challenge. While nutrition information is becoming more readily available in restaurants, most consumers are still unaware of the specifics. This lack of knowledge is unnerving, and restaurant patrons are left to wonder – what is in my food? With obesity rates on the rise, many consumers are seeking healthier alternatives to eating out.

That said, many restaurants (especially quick-service) want to reel consumers back in by providing more nutrition information and improving recipes. Will this plan be successful? A survey conducted by the NPD group of 3,000 consumers provides insight into common attitudes regarding nutrition and specific ingredients at restaurants.

·         Over 50% of consumers would like to improve their eating habits and have tried to reduce their intake of a food or beverage in the last six months.
·         Around 40% of consumers claim to be limiting consumption of fats, cholesterol, sodium, or sugar.
·         Over 10% of consumers are reducing consumption of soda or sugar specifically.
·         Less than 1% of consumers are making an effort to avoid high fructose corn syrup.
·         Calorie content is most important to consumers. About 20% pay attention when it is provided.
·         Only 10% of consumers regularly examine nutrition information at restaurants.

The question remains – should restaurants expend time and energy in reformulating recipes and revamping menus? It seems that consumers oftentimes do not follow through with their intentions to avoid or reduce particular ingredients, and continue to order the same foods while dining out without looking into nutrition information.

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