Consumers turning to ethical products

Major food manufacturers and retailers are expanding their ethical

product offerings as consumer demand for these products surges across

Europe. A new study suggests, however, that consumers will need much

convincing of the ethical credentials of major food companies.

For this week's survey question, I considered asking why consumers

need convincing of the ethical credentials of major food companies.

That part wasn't much of a problem, but the potential answers proved

challenging. I had only one thought: consumers believe food companies,

if not all corporate America, care only about making a profit. Is this

true? If so, is that wrong?

The ethical questions consumers raise include animal handling,

production practices and conditions, etc. The disconnect is that

industry looks at those questions economically; consumers look at them

morally. Each side has varying degrees, of course. It might just not

be a correctable problem. What do you think major companies can do to

gain the public's trust?

Kristal Arnold, Editor

Food Systems Insider, Vance Publishing