Diane K. Ray — vice president at the Natural Marketing Institute (NMI) in Harleysville — attended a trade show in Secaucus, New Jersey. There, she cited compelling data about American’s growing concern about the use of chemicals in food. Jeff Gelski harvested her comments in Food Business News.

“We see a huge chunk of the population that is angry now,” Ray said. “They used to be concerned. Now they are angry. They say the food chain is pretty bastardized with chemicals.”

Ray presented NMI survey data to back up her contention.

Consumers were asked their opinions on artificial food additives and their possible associated risks for cancer and heart disease. Ray cited elevated concern among:

• 83 percent of consumers ages 40–49
• 80 percent between 30–39
• 73 percent of 65+
• 69 percent for 50–64
• 63 percent for 18–29

She also noted that, in response, consumer buying habits are shifting.

Ray cited data showing that in the organic-milk category, for example, sales rose 10 percent between 2022 and 2023 across all age brackets.

Ray also noted evolving acceptance for regenerative agriculture, those measures like commercial composting efforts that revitalize farm soil naturally.

“[Consumers) don’t quite get it yet,” she noted. “But they are getting there.”

More food insight from Diane K. Ray is at Food Business News.

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Among food additives, which are among the worst?