India strives for planet-friendly food more than developed countries: Study

Sodexo, has revealed the results of its Sustainable Food Barometer, conducted in collaboration with Toluna Harris Interactive. The study, which surveyed over 7,000 participants from five key countries, aims to identify the key drivers of change and the barriers to adopting sustainable eating habits. India’s inclusion in this study for the first time highlights its growing prominence and growth as a major market for sustainable and plant-based food, according to a release issued by Sodexo.

The report, which also includes insights from over 2,000 Indian consumers, reveals that Indians are increasingly eager to adopt healthy eating habits with a minimal environmental impact, showing greater enthusiasm than their counterparts in developed countries. This shift is expected to drive the demand for sustainable food in the country and has the potential to reshape India’s food consumption trends.

—Indians enthusiastic about sustainable eating habits, despite inflationary context: Over two-thirds of Indians express a strong favourability towards sustainable food consumption, outpacing their counterparts in developed countries. However, price remains the number one factor in choosing food products, far ahead of environmental concerns. Taste ranks just behind price as a key factor in making food choices.

—Millennials leading the charge for sustainable food choices in India: As many as 60 percent in India, specifically millennials (aged 25 to 44), remain committed to sustainable food choices with a majority of them already adopting many sustainable practices in their daily lives. GenZs (aged less than 25) remain indecisive towards sustainable food choices.

The report highlights the food services industry as a key driver of sustainable trends and a catalyst for inspiring change.
Stressing the role of the food services industry, Sambit Sahu, managing director of Sodexo India, said, “We serve over a million consumers every day, and we believe we can influence food choices by adopting and embracing the right planet-friendly practices. Our strong value proposition, combined with a commitment to safety, empowers us to set the standard and drive sustainable change in the food services industry. With brands like Aarogyum, which focus on health and sustainability with balanced, flavourful recipes crafted by specialised nutritionists and chefs, we are well-positioned to inspire positive change and encourage mindful and conscious eating habits.”