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1. Three in ten Americans have cut back on sandwich meat as a result of a listeria outbreak. 

The CDC recently warned Americans about consuming sandwich meat as a result of a listeria outbreak, and Boar’s Head recalled 7 million pounds of its sandwich meat. The outbreak has raised widespread concern, with 62% of Americans feeling at least ‘somewhat’ concerned including 21% who are ‘very’ concerned.1 Additional data show 3-in-10 Americans aware of the outbreak have cut back on their sandwich meat consumption as a result. Americans could be turning to plant-based meat as an alternative – those avoiding sandwich meat are more likely to be plant-based meat eaters and intenders. 

Take Our Poll: How concerned are you about the listeria outbreak in deli meat?

2. More than a quarter of consumers have cut back on eating dark chocolate due to possible heavy metal contamination. 

Listeria isn’t the only notable news when it comes to food safety. A recent study revealed the presence of heavy metals in dark chocolate. New CivicScience data show 58% of U.S. adults hold some level of concern about the possibility of heavy metal contamination in dark chocolate.2 Among snackers, those who frequently eat healthy snacks are more likely to be worried than frequent unhealthy snackers. 

This concern has translated into action for some consumers – more than a quarter of Americans aware of the possible presence of the metals report they’re eating less or avoiding dark chocolate now. Unhealthy snackers are less likely to reduce their dark chocolate consumption after learning about the contamination compared to healthy snackers.

3. Americans, led by Democrats are more likely to support the recent prisoner exchange with Russia than oppose it.

The U.S. and Russia recently conducted the largest prisoner exchange since the Cold War, freeing 24 people, including journalist Evan Gershkovich and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan. Just under half of Americans (47%) agree with the decision to follow through with the prisoner exchange; however, support is far stronger among Democrats (70%) than Republicans (37%). 

Let Us Know: How favorable or unfavorable is your opinion of the recent prisoner exchange with Russia?

Attitudes change before behaviors do. CivicScience’s ‘always-on’ 1st-party data tracking makes it easy to track shifts in consumer behavior before the competition does. See what we can do for your brand.

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  1. n=1,425 responses from 8/5/2024 to 8/7/2024 ↩︎
  2. n=1,435 responses from 08/05/2024 to 08/08/2024 ↩︎