New research from Kemin Industries has found that the majority of US grocery shoppers check ingredient labels before purchasing meat products.

The research investigates the way that certain preservatives found in processed meats can influence the purchase decisions of consumers.

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When making purchase decisions, 86% of consumers read the ingredient label always or sometimes and 34% always read the label.

The motivations for reading labels are mostly health-related, and include diabetes / blood sugar, hypertension / heart disease and cholesterol.

Kemin food technologies division product manager Brittany Bailey said that the research reveals that ingredient labelling and consumer perception is an important factor when it comes to purchase decisions.

"We are committed to providing the industry with ingredients backed by science that improve the safety and quality of food, and it is our hope that this study will provide value to manufacturers and industry leaders working to produce safe and nutritious food that meet consumer demands," Bailey added.

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The survey was conducted online by a Harris Poll of 1,004 US adults aged 18+ who describe themselves as the primary grocery shopper for their household.

The survey found that when purchasing meats, 81% of grocery shoppers go to the refrigerated section and 46% commonly turn to the deli / meat counter of their favourite grocery store.

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