Food industry accused of 'crimes'

Consumers are apparently bewildered by choices

One of the UK's biggest supermarket chains has accused its own industry of abusing consumer trust and committing 'food crimes'. BBC Consumer affairs correspondent Nicola Carslaw reports.

The Co-op is the UK's biggest farmer and operates more than 1,100 food stores.

Its report, called Food Crimes - finds that more than 75% of consumers believe manufacturers don't act in the public interest and most shoppers feel powerless to act against the might of the multinationals.

'Food crimes'

Blackmail

Contamination

GBH

Pillage

Vandalism

Cannibalism

Fraud

It suggests the public is bewitched by advertising designed to charm them into buying products of questionable nutritional value.

It also claims consumers are bothered by failed safety promises and unnatural farming practices and bewildered by the dazzling choice of food and often meaningless claims of food producers.

The report identifies what it calls seven "food crimes", including blackmail - the exploitation of children by advertisers; contamination - the unnecessary use of chemicals on land and in livestock and GBH - the disregard of animal rights to keep costs down.

The report attacks failed safety promises

It also lists vandalism - damage to the environment by intensive food production; cannibalism - feeding animals with the remains of their own species; pillage - the exploitation of third world farmers to bring us cheap food and fraud - tampering with the taste and appearance of our food.

The Co-op says its research also highlights how science and the law lag behind consumer opinion - supporting practices people find abhorrent - such as feeding animals with growth-promoting antibiotics.

The supermarket group has sent its findings to the Food Standards Agency - whose own research throws up similar attitudes.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the industry body, the Food and Drink Federation, says the report is about perception, not actual bad practice.

He added that it makes commercial sense to be seen as healthier, more ethical, safer and more consumer friendly than your competitors.