Since 2003, HUNTER has commissioned the only annual longitudinal study of its kind identifying the top food news according to the opinions of Americans. In partnership with Libran Research, this year the HUNTER Food News Study celebrates its 20th Anniversary, uncovering the top ten most significant food stories of the year and their impact on attitudes and behavior. In 2022, the study also took a look back at the last 20 years, and for the first time examines food news and culture in the United Kingdom, the home of HUNTER: London.

A Look at the Top Stories

#1 UK Top Food News Story of the Year: Supermarkets Slashing ‘Best Before’ Dates

In a bid to reduce food waste, top UK supermarkets Asda and M&S followed Tesco’s example from 2018 and began removing ‘best before’ dates from fresh products such as fruit and vegetables. This comes after research showed millions of tonnes of food was being thrown away each year. Other supermarkets are set to follow suit in 2023, reflecting the growing momentum surrounding sustainability in the food industry.

#1 US Top Food News Story of the Year: Baby Formula Shortage

Supply chain shortages compounded by a national recall due to contamination concerns sent new parents into a frenzy as they searched for much-needed baby formula. Coverage of the shortage, where to find formula and the great lengths parents were going to secure this essential product drove headlines in global, national and local media.

Meal Preparation: UK vs US

As we emerge from the global pandemic, consumers across both countries continue to report they are cooking more at home. However, as we take a closer look at the food landscape across regions, we notice notable differences in food preparation. UK households are 30 percent more likely to cook meals from scratch, while sourcing meals from restaurant, takeout and fast-food establishments is 70 percent more prevalent in the US.

Twenty Years of Findings

Over the past 20 years, food industry news, food safety, and health/nutrition have dominated top food news – consistent with the concerns of the day. While the topics have remained consistent year to year, the most meaningful change is how and where consumers are finding and consuming their news. Stories now originate and are being recalled in channels that did not exist 20 years ago, namely social apps like TikTok, with roughly one-third of Americans first becoming aware of marquee news stories via social media ( ˜21 percent) and digital media/websites ( ˜14 percent).