A recent study by Dalhousie University’s Agri-Food Analytics Lab, in collaboration with Caddle, reveals that as food prices soar, an increasing number of Canadians are willing to consume food that is close to or beyond its best-before date. The survey, which involved 9,109 participants across Canada in April, indicates that economic pressures are influencing food consumption behaviors.
According to the findings, 58% of respondents admitted they are more likely to eat food past its best-before date due to the recent spike in food prices. Sylvain Charlebois, director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab, expressed concern over this trend, noting that “as food prices climb, more Canadians are taking risks with their food safety. This behavior, driven by economic necessity, exposes a critical vulnerability at the intersection of food security and food safety.”
The survey further detailed that within the 58% who are willing to consume such food, 23.1% always eat food past its best-before dates, 38.6% often do, 30.8% sometimes do, and only 7.5% rarely consume food under these conditions. Interestingly, 37% reported that higher prices have not changed their consumption habits, while 48% were unsure about the potential health risks associated with eating food past its best-before date.
Health concerns were also highlighted, with 20% of participants reporting sickness they believe might be related to consuming outdated food. Millennials reported the highest incidence at 41%, followed by Generation X at 24%, and Baby Boomers at 20%.
In response to rising food costs, 47% of Canadians have adapted their food storage or preparation methods to extend the shelf life of their products. Common practices include freezing bread, using humidity-controlled drawers for vegetables, and employing vacuum-sealed containers for leftovers. Janet Music, manager of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab, noted, “While these are positive adaptive strategies, nearly half of the participants are uncertain about the safety of their food, which underscores the need for better consumer education and support.”
The study also explored perceptions of food safety amidst food inflation, with results showing 8.5% believe food is safer than a year ago, 26.9% feel it is less safe, and 35.5% see no impact. Moreover, 50.1% of respondents believe that food inflation and higher prices have compelled them to take more risks with their food.
This research from the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University highlights important trends in consumer behavior and food safety amidst economic challenges, with a noted margin of error of approximately 1.92% at a 95% confidence level.