Artificial ingredients concern consumers
Instantly reports that 62% of UK consumers say they would be more likely to purchase from a particular brand if it removed all artificial ingredients from its products.
The research suggests that concerns over health are the overriding reason for consumers preferring products without artificial ingredients. More than three quarters (76%) of consumers agreed with the statement that ‘food products with artificial ingredients are less healthy than food products with natural ingredients’.
Nestle, Kraft and General Mills have all pledged to remove artificial ingredients from its products, signalling how the industry is being shaped by consumer attitudes and the shift to more natural ingredients.
According to the study, 64% of consumers would have a more positive perception of a brand if it removed all artificial ingredients from its products.
It seems that consumers are willing to buy products with decreased shelf life and taste following the removal of artificial ingredients, with 65% of consumers saying they would be prepared to purchase these altered products.
The research also uncovered the differing consumer attitudes towards independent and large established companies, which found 25% of consumers would trust a large established company to produce a product with all natural products, compared to 75% that would trust a small independent company to do the same.
Overall, 70% of consumers surveyed believe that natural food brands are independently owned.
Ben Leet, UK managing director of Instantly, says: “People in the UK are becoming increasingly health conscious and this is reflected in their attitudes towards the inclusion of artificial ingredients in the products they consume. There is also clearly a perception issue that larger companies need to address, as consumers tend to link natural food brands with independent suppliers. With natural food brands seemingly becoming more popular, corporations may have their work cut out for them when trying to convince consumers to continue purchasing their products.”
