Consumers Fear Higher Food Prices from Avian Influenza Outbreaks

Purdue University’s latest Consumer Food Insights Report shows 60 percent of consumers are concerned about the impact of highly pathogenic avian influenza on food prices.  

Jayson Lusk, distinguished professor and head of ag economics with Purdue, says the goal was to gauge consumer concerns on the more than 30 million poultry losses due to the virus. “A little less than half said that they had heard of the recent outbreaks,” he says. “Among those, we asked people whether they were concerned about it affecting the safety of the food they’re eating or whether they were concerned about the effect on food prices and consumers did indeed express some concern.” He indicated consumer awareness will likely increase if outbreaks continue. However, avian influenza does not present a food safety risk. Poultry and eggs are safe to eat when handled and cooked properly.

Editor’s Take:

We have reported several times in the AIR about the avian influenza outbreak that has occurred in the U.S. and countries around the world. To date, the deaths of chickens and turkeys due to the “bird flu” is up to over 40 million. It’s no wonder people are concerned. This article does an excellent job of capturing consumer fears about food safety and inflation due to this outbreak.