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.

More great news for healthy food makers! In a nifty, new graphic taken from Reimagining Health & Wellness 2010, the Hartman Group totals up average consumer health and wellness spending and finds that average spending on wellness products has been on an upward trend since 2005.

Earth Day 2010 marks the 40th anniversary of the event that today is recognized across 175 countries around the world and by over 500 million people. Originally the idea of Senator Gaylord Nelson in 1969, the initial goal was to educate children and the environment. Now held on April 22nd, after the first recognized Earth Day in 1970, this day represents a time when many people think about living in a healthier and more sustainable way.

Decision-making is a complex process that varies from individual to individual. Moreover, research by the University of Minnesota finds that our emotions can play a big part in the choices we make because people anticipate how a certain choice will make them feel.

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).