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Not Everything Measured in Food is a Risk
- THE HAGUE, Netherlands (March 30, 2025) – A recent survey by the Dutch Nutrition Center reveals a significant disparity between consumer perception and expert assessment of food-related risks.
- The survey highlights that consumers express greater concern than experts regarding the impact of environmental pollution, microplastics, pesticides, and PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) on thier food.
- Petra Verhoef, director of the Nutrition Center, noted a positive shift in consumer awareness.
Consumer Concerns Over Food Risks Exaggerated, Dutch Nutrition Center Survey Finds
Table of Contents
- Consumer Concerns Over Food Risks Exaggerated, Dutch Nutrition Center Survey Finds
- Consumer Food Risk Perceptions vs. Reality: A Q&A
- What are the main concerns about food safety?
- What did the Dutch Nutrition Center survey reveal?
- Why do these perceptions differ?
- What are PFAS and why are they a concern?
- How does the Dutch Nutrition Center approach food safety advice?
- What are the key recommendations for safe and healthy eating?
- What is the “prevention paradox”?
- How does the Nutrition Center combat misinformation?
- What is the difference between individual and public health risks?
- Key Differences: Public vs. Expert Perception of Risks
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (March 30, 2025) – A recent survey by the Dutch Nutrition Center reveals a significant disparity between consumer perception and expert assessment of food-related risks. The study,involving over 1,000 dutch citizens and 69 food experts,indicates that the public tends to overestimate dangers associated with environmental factors,while underestimating risks linked to unhealthy eating habits.
Key Findings: Public vs. Expert Perceptions
The survey highlights that consumers express greater concern than experts regarding the impact of environmental pollution, microplastics, pesticides, and PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) on thier food. Conversely, nutrition experts, with 80%, are far more likely than consumers, at 41%, to identify unhealthy diets as a “very large” health risk.
Petra Verhoef, director of the Nutrition Center, noted a positive shift in consumer awareness. “Consumers are increasingly recognizing unhealthy eating patterns as a primary food risk, aligning with expert opinions,” verhoef said. “This heightened awareness, compared to similar studies in 2009 and 2018, is a crucial first step toward healthier behaviors.”
Microplastics and PFAS: Addressing Public Concerns
Wieke van der Vossen, a food safety expert at the Nutrition Center, addressed public anxieties surrounding microplastics and PFAS.”We’ve seen a consistent stream of questions about these substances,” van der Vossen said.The center actively monitors scientific literature and collaborates with researchers to provide informed advice to consumers.
In 2023, concerns arose after tests revealed elevated PFAS levels in eggs from private chickens near Dordrecht. Toxicologist Martin van den Berg stated that consuming these eggs posed a risk to public health, prompting an investigation by the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority.
Van der Vossen emphasized the importance of reliable data before issuing widespread recommendations. “If analysis methods are unclear or results vary, providing general advice for the entire country becomes challenging,” she explained. “We prioritize unambiguous evidence before issuing guidance.”
Danger vs. Risk: Context Matters
According to the Nutrition Center, only a small percentage of experts, less than 3%, consider pesticides, environmental pollution, or microplastics as “very high risks.” This contrasts sharply with consumer perceptions, where a quarter of respondents hold that view.
Van der Vossen clarified the distinction between danger and risk. “A substance can be hazardous, but the actual risk depends on the amount of exposure and its duration,” she said. “Regulations are based on this principle. Not every trace found in measurements constitutes a risk.”
She added that legal safety standards are often set far below levels shown to cause harm in animal testing, providing an extra layer of precaution. “Experts understand this system, but consumers often only hear that PFAS is present and perceive it as a risk,” van der Vossen said.
Promoting Balanced Diets and Safe Food Handling
The Nutrition Center acknowledges public concerns about potential contaminants in food. However, they advocate for a balanced approach. “We advise consumers to eat a varied diet,including plenty of fruits and vegetables,practise good kitchen hygiene,and keep food properly chilled,” van der Vossen said. “Systematically avoiding entire food groups can be detrimental to health.”
Individual vs. Public Health Risks
Verhoef addressed the difference between individual and public health risks.”While population-level risks apply to individuals on average, an individualS likelihood of becoming ill depends on various factors, including overall health,” she said.
She cited the “prevention paradox,” explaining that even small dietary changes, such as reducing processed meat consumption, may have a limited impact on an individual’s risk of colon cancer but can significantly reduce the overall incidence of the disease at the population level.
Combating Misinformation
The nutrition Center actively combats misinformation circulating on social media.Common topics include testosterone-boosting foods, various types of salt, supplements, seed oils, ultra-processed foods, and water filters.
The center also addresses concerns about pesticides on fruits and vegetables, notably in baby food, and has responded to broadcasts comparing jars of baby food to fresh produce.
Consumer Food Risk Perceptions vs. Reality: A Q&A
This article explores the findings of a recent survey by the Dutch Nutrition Center, which reveals a fascinating divergence between how consumers and experts view food-related risks. We’ll dive into these insights, clarifying the science behind food safety, and offering practical advice.
What are the main concerns about food safety?
Consumers often worry about contaminants in food, including pesticides, microplastics, environmental pollution, and PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). The Dutch Nutrition Center acknowledges these concerns.
What did the Dutch Nutrition Center survey reveal?
The survey,involving over 1,000 Dutch citizens and 69 food experts,highlighted a significant difference in risk perception.
Consumers Overestimate Environmental Risks: Consumers express greater concern about environmental pollution, microplastics, pesticides, and PFAS in food.
Experts Prioritize Unhealthy Diets: Experts are far more likely to identify unhealthy diets as a “very large” health risk.
This means the public may sometimes focus on less significant risks while downplaying the impact of their eating habits.
Why do these perceptions differ?
One key factor is the distinction between “danger” and “risk.” A substance can be hazardous, but the actual risk depends on the amount of exposure and how long it lasts.
Experts also understand that regulations are set far below levels that would cause harm, providing an extra layer of precaution. Consumers, however, may only hear about the presence of a substance and perceive it as an immediate risk. For example, the presence of PFAS in eggs, as highlighted in the survey, was seen as a risk by consumers due to a focus on detection alone, rather than consumption levels.
What are PFAS and why are they a concern?
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of man-made chemicals used in various products, including non-stick cookware and firefighting foam.They are persistent in the habitat and can accumulate in the body.
The survey mentions a specific instance: elevated PFAS levels were found in eggs from chickens near Dordrecht, prompting public health concerns and an examination by the Dutch food and Consumer Product Safety Authority in 2023.
How does the Dutch Nutrition Center approach food safety advice?
The Center emphasizes the importance of reliable data before issuing widespread recommendations. They prioritize unambiguous evidence and consider the full context when advising consumers.If analysis methods are unclear or results vary, providing general advice can be challenging.
What are the key recommendations for safe and healthy eating?
The nutrition Center advocates for a balanced approach:
Eat a varied diet: Include plenty of fruits and vegetables.
Practice good kitchen hygiene: This helps prevent the spread of bacteria.
Keep food properly chilled: This also slows bacterial growth.
Avoid systematically avoiding entire food groups: This can be detrimental to health.
What is the “prevention paradox”?
This concept explains that changes in diet, even small ones, can have a notable impact on population health. Such as, reducing consumption of processed meat may have a limited impact on an individualS risk of colon cancer but considerably reduces the disease’s overall incidence at the population level.
How does the Nutrition Center combat misinformation?
The center actively addresses misinformation circulating on social media. Common topics include:
Testosterone-boosting foods
Various types of salt
Supplements
Seed oils
Ultra-processed foods
Water filters
* Pesticides on fruits and vegetables, especially in baby food
What is the difference between individual and public health risks?
While population-level risks apply to individuals on average, an individual’s likelihood of becoming ill depends on various factors, including their overall health. This is addressed by Petra Verhoef, director of the Nutrition Center.
Key Differences: Public vs. Expert Perception of Risks
| Risk Factor | Consumer Perception | Expert Perception |
| :—————————— | :———————————————————————– | :——————————————————————————— |
| Environmental Pollution | Express greater concern | Less concern |
| Microplastics | Express greater concern | Less concern |
| Pesticides | Express greater concern | Less concern |
| PFAS | Express greater concern | less concern |
| Unhealthy Diets | Less likely to identify as a “very large” health risk | Experts are far more likely to identify as a ”very large” health risk (80%) |