Conducted prior to the food industry’s most recent egg scare, the report Food Safety Certification: A Study of Food Safety in the U.S. Supply Chain by DNV Business Assurance finds that food safety concerns can significantly influence the shopping behaviors of consumers and the business practices of food manufacturers, retailers, and distributors. In the survey of more than 400 consumers and 73 food companies, almost half of respondents said they changed shopping patterns because of food safety issues.

The results of a new study from Context Marketing show that ethical foods represent quality and safety to American consumers. Broadly defined as foods that are produced with conscious regard to environmental protection, high quality and safety standards, and animal welfare, nearly seven out of ten consumers are willing to pay more for foods produced according to these higher ethical standards. According to 91% of consumers, among other things, “ethical foods” avoid the inhumane treatment of animals.

Health and food safety continue to be important issues and a newly published poll by Harris Interactive shows notable consumer concern and potential sales backlash regarding the safety of fresh food items, including especially meat, poultry, and seafood products. This is yet another factor that could motivate consumers to become more interested in vegetarian foods.

One of America’s most watched food networks, The Food Channel, released it’s Top Ten Food Trends for 2010, which includes important opportunities and just simply good ideas for vegetarian food businesses to keep in mind as you plan for 2010.

A new report by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reveals the ten riskiest foods regulated by the agency, based on information tracked by the Center for Science in the Public Interest and data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Interestingly, half of the items are animal-based products (and arguably some of the vegetables were contaminated by animal sources).