Many in Canada skeptical of food claims

• Tweet

OTTAWA, Jan. 18 (UPI) -- Fifty-three percent of Canadians say they believe health claims made on food labels, while 47 percent say they don't believe the claims, a survey indicates.

The nationwide Ipsos Reid survey conducted last week for Global National and Postmedia News says 47 percent say they somewhat agree with the health claims on labels, while 5 percent say they strongly believe the food label health claims.

Seventy-two percent say they believe probiotics -- live microorganisms added to food products -- improve their health, while 79 percent say they believe that the addition of omega-3 fatty acids to food products makes them healthier, Postmedia News reports.

However, 44 percent of Canadians say they are willing to pay extra for products that make health claims -- but most are only willing to pay some 12 percent extra.

Ipsos Reid conducted the poll of more than 1,000 Canadian adults Jan. 12-14. The survey has a margin of error of 3 percentage points.