Preventing a Food Safety Trust Bust

Last year, a reputable Gallup survey revealed that Americans’ trust in the government’s ability to ensure food safety had hit an all-time low. Trust in the private sector’s ability to keep food safe wasn’t much better—and it had also declined.

Now, for the second year in a row, a new survey from the International Food Information Council (IFIC) shows that consumer confidence in the safety of our food supply continues to fall—and this erosion of trust cuts across nearly every demographic group.

I’ve always said food safety is, first and foremost, a public health issue. Foodborne illnesses aren’t just statistics. They affect real people—with real, sometimes tragic, consequences, including death. But food safety is also about something deeper: TRUST.

Are these survey results surprising? Not to me. They’re disappointing, yes—but not unexpected.

After all, what should we expect when:

• Foodborne outbreaks and recalls continue to be reported almost weekly,

• Misinformation about what’s in our food—and whether it’s safe—is increasingly widespread, and

• Some public voices use vague, inflammatory terms like “toxins” or “poisons” without evidence or responsible risk communication?

We’ve all heard it said: Food security is national security.

It’s time to "restore consumer trust" in the safety of the U.S. food system.

So how do we begin?

While there’s no single solution, especially in a time of widespread distrust across both public and private institutions, we can start with actions that are clear, achievable, and grounded in science. Here are a few:

Strengthen prevention efforts to reduce the frequency of outbreaks and recalls.

Live by the trust equation: Trust = Competency + Integrity. To that, I’d add: + Transparency. In every organization, we must put the best experts in key roles—and ensure they not only do things right but do the right things.

Avoid fear-based messaging. Leaders must stop using generalized and alarmist language when talking about food safety. Terms like “toxins” and “poisons,” when used without context or accuracy, only deepen public confusion.

Reinforce the authority and effectiveness of federal food safety agencies. A growing patchwork of inconsistent state-level regulations—many lacking a sound scientific basis—undermines trust and creates confusion among consumers.

Invest in food safety and science literacy. Start early and build understanding at every level—from classrooms to communities.

We’re on the wrong path. But we CAN and MUST do better.

Frank

As usual, thanks for reading. Until next time.