Ways Food Companies to Protect Consumer Health

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) surveyed global consumer perceptions regarding the contributions large food and beverage companies can make to improve consumer health and well-being by early 2025.

To achieve these two goals, 51% of consumers believe companies can contribute by providing more products targeted at specific health needs. Other recommended approaches include improving the nutritional content of products and addressing climate change.

Here are the complete results of the PwC survey on the contributions of food and beverage companies in improving consumer health and well-being:

• Providing more products targeted at specific health needs: 51%
• Improving the nutrition of core product offerings: 46%
• Offering more low-calorie products: 45%
• Informing/educating consumers about health and nutrition: 42%
• Offering various portion sizes: 32%
• Sponsoring/creating initiatives that encourage healthier lifestyles: 32%
• Focusing marketing to highlight healthier choices: 31%
• Sponsoring/creating initiatives that promote healthier eating and physical activity: 31%
• Meeting climate goals: 26%
• Adapting products to suit local tastes/cultures: 26%
• Providing personalized nutrition advice/recipe ideas based on consumer data: 25%

According to PwC, while consumers are aware of their own responsibility for their health, they also expect food and beverage companies to assist them in adopting healthy lifestyles.

This is evident in the 51% of consumers who believe that food producers and manufacturers bear the primary responsibility for promoting healthy and nutritious diets.

"This is followed by government and public health organizations (47%), retailers and grocery stores (37%), and restaurants and food service providers (22%)," PwC stated in its report.

On the other hand, one-third of respondents (33%) said that health benefits are one of the most important factors in their decision to switch food brands.

This is in line with consumers' desire to reduce alcohol consumption and avoid ultra-processed foods. Furthermore, more than 50% of respondents plan to increase their consumption of fresh produce.

The PwC survey was conducted in January-February 2025. A total of 21,075 consumers aged 18 and over from 28 countries and regions participated in the survey. Interviews with industry executives took place in May 2025.