Latest results from Food Standards Scotland’s long-running consumer tracking survey

Food Standards Scotland has published the latest results (Wave 10) of its ‘Food in Scotland’ Consumer Tracker Survey, measuring changes in Scotland's attitudes, behaviours and knowledge in relation to food over time.

The JRS Research Consortium survey is undertaken biannually, with alternating modules focussing on food safety and authenticity, and diet and nutrition each running once a year. The survey draws from a representative sample of over 1000 people living in Scotland.

This wave focused on diet and nutrition. The survey was conducted between 3 and 17 July 2020, during the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, so also includes new questions exploring COVID-19 and its impact in relation to diet.

The key findings are:

Vitamin D

• Only 24% of participants reported taking a vitamin D supplement at the start of lockdown and a further 10% began taking a supplement during lockdown
• Only 1/3 of respondents felt that taking a vitamin D supplement was especially important during lockdown.

Note – the public health recommendation is that people living in Scotland consider taking a 10mcg vitamin D supplement, particularly during winter (Oct – Mar). During lockdown, this advice was widened to encourage individuals to consider taking a supplement throughout the year.

Eating at home

• Two thirds of respondents reported having eaten at home more and 60% of people had cooked more at home
• Almost half reported eating more discretionary foods and more than 40% reported eating more out of boredom
• Takeaway use was lower than in previous waves, with almost half of participants reporting lower use.

Concern about food

• 1 in 6 people reported worrying about not being able to afford food
• Other concerns around the about the amount of fat, salt and sugar in food (84%-90%) and thinking that healthy eating is too expensive (45%) have remained stable since the previous survey.