UK &#8211, A survey carried out by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) reveals high levels of concern among consumers over food safety issues and widespread confusion over food labelling.

The ‘Consumer Attitudes to Food’ survey reveals the views or more than 3,000 people across the UK.

Over half the population (52%) has little faith in current food safety measures, although 48% believe food safety has improved over the last year. The biggest concern to consumers is the standard of hygiene in fast food outlets.

On the subject of food labelling only 59% regularly check food labels and, of these, 67% focus on the best-before and use-by dates, along with cooking and storage instructions. However, 25% find food labelling difficult to understand.

When asked about the FSA, nearly 50% thought it was the agency’s job to set food standards, but only a quarter realised it also enforced standards. Twenty five percent of people were not convinced that the information or advice given by the agency is reliable.

In response to the survey John Krebs, chairman of the FSA, said: “The responsibilities for change rests with everyone involved in the food business. The FSA will continue to champion measures to improve food safety and consumer confidence. After less than a year of its existence the FSA has started to earn the trust of consumers.”