Losing touch with food

People in the UK worry that convenience eating could cause them to lose a connection with the food they eat, according to new research published by the Food Standards Agency.

Losing connections

Participants in the study were concerned that the growing trends of convenience foods, online grocery shopping and ‘eating on the go’ could decrease the social and cultural importance of sharing meals.

They worry about a loss of connection with where our food comes from and with each other, as we cook and eat together less as families and communities.

Our Food Future

The findings have come from a public dialogue commissioned by the FSA to explore ‘Our Food Future’, and the potential impact of changes to the food system on consumers in the UK.

The aim of the study is to bring the consumer voice into the debate about the future of the food system and collect important evidence to inform future policy, working in partnership with other policy makers, industry and retailers.

‘The food supply chain is increasingly complex and already under pressure from a growing world population. It’s the FSA’s role to understand how this affects the interests of consumers and engage with people about how the food system should be shaped for the future.

‘We’ve said in our strategy that we are committed to open policy making and we are keen to invite input from everyone with a stake in the food system, including from those who buy and eat food. We want to identify and solve problems to deliver the best food future for us all. Our policies in this area, and those of others, are still being shaped and Our Food Future will have a crucial input into that.’

Steve Wearne, Director of Policy at the Food Standards Agency