From Hunter Public Relations,
When Americans were asked which were the most memorable food stories of 2009, food health and safety stories topped the list. The seventh annual year-end survey commissioned by Hunter Public Relations, a leading public relations firm specializing in the food and beverage industry, revealed the following as the three most memorable food-related stories of 2009:
#1: Food Safety Concerns
The biggest story of the year was the issue of food safety. From E. coli in ground beef to salmonella poisoning in nuts, thousands of Americans have been sickened, prompting food recalls of everything from baby food to green onions.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates 76 million cases of food borne illnesses occur annually in the U.S.; more than 300,000 persons are hospitalized and 5,000 die.
#2: Newly Poor Swelling Lines at Food Banks
Stories related to the weak economy played a prominent role in 2009. The second biggest story of the year was the increase in demand at food banks, with food pantries opening their doors to rapidly expanding numbers of hungry Americans.
Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger-relief charity, reported that requests for emergency food assistance rose by 30% in 2009.
#3: Consumers Cut Food Spending Sharply
The third biggest story of 2009 was also related to the economy, as Americans sharply curtailed spending on food by dining out less, opting for generic products over brand names and choosing to cook at home more. This has significantly hurt sales and profits at many food processors, grocery chains and restaurants.
A HealthFocus International study indicated that nearly three-quarters of American shoppers showed a higher level of concern about the cost of groceries this year.
Click to read the rest of the Top Food Stories For 2009.
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