Horsemeat: Millions of Ready Meals Thrown Away

Horsemeat: Millions Of Ready Meals Thrown Away


A survey by ICM found the horsemeat scandal has had a huge
impact on people's attitude to processed food.


2:55am UK,
Monday 13 May 2013

The survey was carried out on behalf of kitchenware
manufacturer Tefal

• 
  
• 
  
• 
  
  .
  
  
  
  Nearly 18 million packets of processed food were thrown away by
  families in Britain after the horsemeat scandal, according to a survey.
  
  Research to kick off Tefal's Fresh Week found more than 13.5 thousand tonnes
  of items like sausages, burgers and meat pies were chucked in the
  bin.
  
  The kitchenware manufacturer said it shows the recent scandals have
  had a positive effect on the nation's eating habits, with Britons becoming more
  aware of the health risks of processed ready-meals.
  
  Almost a quarter
  (24%) of the 2007 UK adults questioned by ICM said said they had cut down on the
  amount of processed food they eat.
  
  Nearly a third (30%) of respondents
  said they were put off processed meals as a result of the horsemeat
  scandal.
  
  The number who said they had thrown out processed ready meals -
  like lasagnes and curries - was just under 2.8 million.
  
  The survey also
  found people are eating around 20% more British apples, garden peas, cauliflower
  and cabbage.
  
  Fresh Week is an initiative to encourage the UK to exchange
  convenience and ready-made meals for fresh unprocessed food.
  
  Fay Ripley,
  actress and Fresh Week supporter, said: "With stories in the news about hidden
  ingredients and high salt or sugar content in processed foods, it's no wonder as
  parents we worry about what our families are eating."
  
  The ICM research
  interviews took place between April 5 and 7.
  
• Related Stories