While “organic” is still the leading ethical claim on restaurant menus, its usage declined 28% between Q4 2010-13.
April 10/Chicago/Press Release -- Recently, consumer confidence in the food industry has been shaken by food scandals, lack of transparency in food preparation and questionable treatment of animals. As a result, restaurants have shifted their business practices to introduce a greater number and wider variety of claims that reflect trending food concerns, in hopes of regaining consumers’ trust. According to Mintel Menu Insights, while “organic” is still the leading ethical claim on restaurant menus, its usage declined 28% between Q4 2010-13.
"The reality is that organic foods are quite expensive and consumers are looking for alternative claims to help them determine what other types of menu items are safe and of good quality to eat. Tying into this, we are seeing a return to tried-and-true, traditional preparations, signaled by claims tied to classic, original, homemade, etc.," says Julia Gallo-Torres, category manager - US foodservice Oxygen reports.