Americans ‘know little’ about ‘healthy’ food they buy – shock survey claims we make major mistake about non-dairy milk

THIRTY percent of Americans admit to buying healthy foods just because they’re trendy, according to new research.

A survey of 2,000 adults looked at their food purchasing practices and found that 65% rate their grocery shopping habits as at least somewhat healthy.

When stacked up against other priorities, however, healthiness (18%) came fourth, surpassed by cost (64%), quality (36%), and personal and household preferences (19%).

Conducted by Talker Research for Zeal Creamery, the survey found that still, 82% opt for products that use “healthwashing” terms — labels intended to convey a product’s health benefits — like “multigrain” (33%), “sugar-free” (30%) and “organic” (27%).

Among those terms, others that respondents view positively are “high-in” (31%) and “free-range” (30%).

Above all, the top grocery category Americans would be willing to splurge on is organic produce (25%).

While Americans are most confident in their understanding of “organic” (65%), “sugar-free” (65%) and “multigrain” (64%) products, they’re admittedly less sure when it comes to “reduced” (23%), “fortified with” (22%) and “light” products (21%).

With all of the different healthwashing terms out there, nearly a third of those surveyed feel overwhelmed by the labels on their foods while shopping (31%).

For many, this leads to misinformation, like the belief that fresh produce is always healthier than canned, frozen, or dried options (38%) and that all processed foods are bad (25%).

Similarly, a fifth of respondents mistakenly believe that dairy milk alternatives such as soy milk or almond milk are always healthier (21%), while one in eight are under the impression that dairy products are unsustainably farmed.

“The survey results reflect the reality that Americans can be exposed to exaggerated claims about the impact of dairy on the environment versus the positive impacts that pastoral, regenerative farming has on the environment,” says Jason Henshaw, president of Zeal Creamery.

“The upside is that there’s a huge opportunity for people to learn about dairy sustainability, regenerative grass-fed farming, and how to incorporate that into their choices.”

Sustainability is an important factor for one in six respondents when grocery shopping.

Yet, few survey-takers were aware that products like rice (7%), soybeans (8%), mineral water (8%), and almond milk (10%) are harmful to the environment.

And nearly a fifth view the dairy industry’s impact on greenhouse gas emissions as negative (18%), while most weren’t sure or didn’t believe it had much effect (52%).

The average American thought that the global dairy industry contributed to about 12% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions — three times more than the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations reports. Similarly, the US Environmental Protection Agency found that dairy cows contributed to just 1.3% of US greenhouse gas emissions.

Henshaw points out that a quarter of respondents felt surprised (25%) and a fifth interested (21%) at this revelation, saying, “A lot of Americans enjoy dairy and want to feel good about their food choices.”

The survey results reflect the reality that Americans can be exposed to exaggerated claims about the impact of dairy on the environment versus the positive impacts that pastoral, regenerative farming has on the environmen

Jason Henshawpresident of Zeal Creamery.

LOW PRICED FOOD

Aldi dropped prices on more than 250 products for a savings of $100 million overall for its customers, the company announced in a press release on Thursday.

The low prices come just before Labor Day.

The grocer is dedicated to ensuring everyone can afford a summer barbeque.

“Aldi is always looking for ways to help customers save money, but with more experts warning of persistent inflation, the time was right to deliver even greater discounts on our already low prices for the second year in a row,” Dave Rinaldo, the president at Aldi in the US said.

“We don’t want food prices to hold people back from getting together with friends and family or spending time outdoors this season.”

A few of the discounted products include Avocado Oil, Season’s Choice Frozen Blueberries, Simple Nature Organic Granola Bars, the Family Pack Chicken Breast, and Burman’s Steak Sauce.