Drawing Party Lines on Food Policy: New Survey Shows Democrats and Republicans Disagree About Government Intervention on Food Policy Issues

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May 17, 2012, 02:26 ET

CHICAGO, May 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- When it comes to food policy issues, there are clear party lines between Democrats and Republicans. FoodMinds' third "Food Temperance in America" survey found that 75 percent of Democrats think more time should be spent on food policy topics within presidential debates and in overall discussions about government policies, while only 39 percent of Republicans think so.

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"While there is some common ground between Republicans and Democrats on the importance of ensuring food safety and stabilizing food prices, they notably disagree on the importance of critical food policy issues such as hunger, nutrition education, and the production and quality of foods served in schools," said Susan Pitman, MA, RD, FoodMinds partner. "It's clear political ideology determines the way Americans think about government intervention when it comes to food-related policies."

The "Food Temperance in America" survey tracks opinions on food policy topics among registered voters and Opinion Leader Shoppers, a group of politically aware and socially active consumers. The results are being presented at the Consumer Federation of America's Food Policy Conference today by Ms. Pitman during the "Election 2012 – Voter Attitudes on Food and Nutrition Issues" panel.

Democrats and Republicans Disagree on the Importance of Food-Related Issues

Democrats	Republicans	Believe It's Very Important to ...
74%	57%	Solve hunger in America
68%	46%	Improve the nutritional quality of food in schools
60%	37%	Educate Americans on healthy food choices and eating behaviors
52%	29%	Reform agriculture production
		% indicating very important on a three-point scale: very important, important, not at all important

More Democrats Strongly Favor Uncle Sam Involvement in Food-Focused Education and Policy

Democrats	Republicans
54%	38%	Support labeling of foods that are genetically modified or engineered
45%	28%	Want the government to define the production processes and ingredients that qualify a food product as "natural"
37%	18%	Favor government-sponsored nutrition education programs that more overtly identify "bad foods" to be avoided
31%	17%	Favor new laws and regulations that prevent food companies from using health and nutrition claims on food packaging and advertising
27%	14%	Want the government to tax soft drinks and other foods and beverages that are high in sugar and calories, but low in beneficial nutrients
		% indicating strongly favor on a four-point scale: strongly favor, favor, oppose, strongly oppose

Across party lines, the survey found Opinion Leader Shoppers are overwhelmingly aware of and engaged in food and health issues and policy reform. For example, 98 percent have heard or read about the increasing number of adults and children who are unhealthy due to obesity, and 82 percent have heard or read about the government re-evaluating what the appropriate levels of fat, sugar, salt and other nutrients should be in food and beverages. And, 88 percent have heard or read that the government is placing stricter rules on the health and nutrition information featured on food packages and in marketing and advertising to children. In addition:

Opinion Leader Shoppers Seek More Positive, Visible Nutrition Education

84 percent want to be educated about how indulgent foods fit into a healthful diet rather than being told what
is restricted.
99 percent find the Nutrition Facts panel on the side or back of food packages useful.

Opinion Leader Shoppers Believe Individuals Ultimately Responsible for Healthy Eating Habits

While more Opinion Leader Shoppers now believe others such as the government and food companies are
responsible (44 percent) vs. results from the same survey conducted in January 2010 (37 percent), the majority of this group still believes individuals have the primary responsibility (56 percent) for healthful food decisions.
More specifically, 67 percent of Republicans, but only 48 percent of Democrats believe primary responsibility
falls to the individual.

Opinion Leader Shoppers Trust Friends, Family and Consumer Advocates More

88 percent trust friends and family more than the government (73 percent) for reliable and useful information
about health and nutrition.
This wave of the survey shows an increased level of trust in First Lady Michelle Obama (58 percent) and in
special interest groups (66 percent), suggesting that involved consumers have an increased appreciation for those who lead with a consumer-centric position on nutrition recommendations.

About the Food Temperance in America Survey

Led by FoodMinds' Strategic Insights team, the third "Food Temperance in America" survey was conducted through MROptimus Omnibus service on April 23, 2012. The sample of 1,000 adults is balanced on age, gender and region of the U.S. Sub-samples of 383 Opinion Leader Shoppers and 883 Registered Voters were screened from the overall adult sample. The MOE is +/- 4% for the Opinion Leader Shoppers, and +/- 3% for the Registered Voters.

About FoodMinds

Founded in 2006, FoodMinds is a food and nutrition consulting and communications company that harnesses science, public affairs and communications to help its clients tell a better story that makes a difference. The winner of the 2012 Gold Sabre award in the public affairs category, FoodMinds is also ranked the #5 independent food and beverage public relations firm in the U.S. by O'Dwyer's. In addition, FoodMinds was recently awarded the National Women's Business Enterprise Certification by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council. FoodMinds works with more than 30 leading food, beverage and nutrition companies, commodities and associations in the U.S. and around the world, and is actively involved in the dialogue on major food and nutrition topics.

SOURCE FoodMinds