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To Bio or not to Bio? Organic Food Consumption in Switzerland
Isabelle Müller1, Flurina Suter2, Sabine Rohrmann2
1University of Bern, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM), Weiterbildung Public Health, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.
Summary
27.8% of Swiss adults consume organic food, but it constitutes only 3.6% of their diet. Organic food consumption is linked to higher education and healthier diets, but less so among younger individuals and those in French-speaking regions.
Area of Science:
- Nutrition Science
- Dietary Habits Research
- Public Health Studies
Background:
- Understanding organic food consumption patterns is crucial for public health and dietary guidelines.
- Switzerland has a diverse population with varying dietary habits.
- Assessing organic food intake provides insights into consumer choices and market trends.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively understand organic food consumption in Switzerland.
- To identify factors associated with organic food consumption within the Swiss population.
- To determine the proportion of organic food within the total diet of consumers.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Swiss National Nutrition Survey menuCH (2014-2015).
- Employed two non-consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls (24HDRs) for dietary information.
- Applied binomial logistic regression models to identify factors associated with organic food consumption.
Main Results:
- 27.8% of the Swiss population consumed organic food; organic items comprised only 3.6% of their total food intake.
- Organic consumption was higher for plant-based foods than animal products, except for eggs and dairy.
- Positive associations with organic food consumption included female sex, high education, and healthy eating index; negative associations included young age, French-speaking regions, non-Swiss nationality, large households, and obesity.
Conclusions:
- The study enhances understanding of organic food consumption distribution in Switzerland.
- Identified specific subgroups within the Swiss population that consume minimal amounts of organic food.
- Findings can inform targeted public health initiatives and dietary recommendations regarding organic food intake.
