Forty-five percent of Americans look for organic foods

WASHINGTON, DC – Just under half of Americans, 45%, actively try to include organic foods in their diets, while 15% actively avoid them. More than a third, 38%, say they “don’t think about organic food in one way or another”.

Organic farming is controlled and certified by the United States Department of Agriculture and must meet strict regulations to be certified “organic”. Organic food is free from artificial additions like antibiotics, and organic farming is said to be better for the environment than traditional farming. Organic foods often cost more than non-organic foods, which could prevent some Americans from including them in their diets.

This is the first year that Gallup has asked questions about organic food consumption as part of the annual Eating Habits Survey. Forty-five percent actively try to include organic foods, placing these foods in the middle of the list of 12 others measured – far behind fruits and vegetables, but well ahead of fats, sodas and sugar. The 38% who say they “somehow don’t think of organic food” is higher than the percentage for any other food product.

In the West, more than half include organic foods in their diets

In the United States, organic food inclusion is highest in the West (54%) and lowest in the East (39%). Americans who report living in a large or small city are more likely to eat organic foods than those who describe their location as a city or rural area, respectively 50% vs. 37%, while those who live in suburban areas fall between these two groups. .

Young Americans are more likely than older people to eat organic foods

More than half of Americans aged 18 to 29 actively try to include organic foods in their diets, compared to a third of Americans 65 and older. Older Americans are slightly more likely than other age groups to “think about organic food anyway”.

Household income is a factor in food choices, with nearly half of high-income Americans actively including organic foods, compared to 42% of low-income Americans. Almost a quarter of low-income Americans, however, actively avoid organic food, while among high-income Americans it is closer to one in 10. This could be a reaction to the cost, as organic food typically cost 20-100% more than non-organic foods. So, low-income Americans might actively avoid organic foods because they are trying to save money on food purchases, rather than avoiding them for reasons of health or food preferences.

Implications

Organic food is subject to strict government regulations in order to earn this title. They cannot be treated with chemical pesticides and organic food producers must use natural fertilizers. This often results in more expensive food, a major downside to organic food. However, proponents praise organic food as being better for the environment and free from potentially harmful aspects like pesticides and additives. Studies are still inconclusive as to whether organic foods are actually healthier.

Since nearly half of Americans actively try to include organic foods in their diets, they may view the advantages of organic foods as outweighing their disadvantages, such as the higher cost or limited access. Income and location appear to be factors in organic food preference, although this can change. Wal-Mart, the largest retailer and grocer in the United States, and known for its low-cost business strategy, has announced plans to start selling organic food. Organic foods may soon become more easily accessible and affordable, which in turn may prompt more Americans to include them in their diets.