Food Safety Concerns Alter American Shopping Habits

Online, August 26, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Tampa, Florida-A new study, "Food Safety Certification: A Study of Food Safety in the U.S. Supply Chain," found that consumers are more concerned than ever about food safety and have changed their shopping habits to reflect these concerns. In the Michigan State University study, more than half of respondents cited safety as a reason for changing shopping habits. The study also highlighted a need for third-party confirmations of food safety and improved labeling on food products.
"With increasing food recalls, food safety is rapidly becoming the highest priority for most Americans," said Jane McEwen, Executive Director of the International Packaged Ice Association. "And at least with the current salmonella egg contamination incident, the eggs can be recalled-that would be virtually impossible with packaged ice due to the number of unlabeled packages in the market."
The study points out that Americans are demanding independent safety certification labels on the food they buy. IPIA members exceed strict standards for product quality and safety and their plants are regularly inspected. Only packaged ice with the IPIA logo has been certified safe for consumers. Non-certified warehouses and ice-making operations that do not adhere to the IPIA's safety standards or even less stringent state and federal standards put the public's safety at risk for E. coli, salmonella, and other pathogens.
Since state inspectors are overwhelmed with thousands of inspections to conduct and limited numbers to enforce safety standards, the IPIA members follow strict guidelines to ensure that the ice it provides is safe. While the Food and Drug Administration considers ice a food, the IPIA points out that packaging and labeling remains overlooked in most cases.
"Americans eat more ice than eggs, bread and many other foods and it needs to be held to the same quality standards," added McEwen. "This new study proves that shoppers want certification labels on their food, so be aware that the IPIA is the only label for packaged ice products."
For additional information about the International Packaged Ice Association, please visit: www.PackagedIce.com or call (813) 258-1690.