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The International Food Information Council (IFIC) commissioned an online survey among U.S. consumers to measure knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about trust in science about food, nutrition, and diet. One thousand adults ages 18 years and older completed the online survey from July 11-13, 2024, and respondents were weighted to ensure proportional results.

Key findings include:

• Less than 4 in 10 Americans strongly trust science and food, nutrition, and/or diet.
• Among potential sources of food information, the most trusted are food and nutrition scientists, medical doctors/nurses, and registered dietitians.
• Consumers have more trust in university food and nutrition scientists than scientists from food industry or government.
• Among those with lower levels of trust in science about food, nutrition, and/or diet, just over half express willingness to change their diet if they had more trust in that science.
• 8 in 10 Americans say it seems like recommendations about what to eat and drink are always changing.
• Among those who say dietary recommendations seem like they are always changing, more than 4 in 10 say it makes them feel confused about their food choices.
• 4 in 10 Americans search for additional information online after noticing food, nutrition, and diet media headlines.
• Just over half of Americans report being in a private social media group focused on food, nutrition, and diet topics.
• Two-thirds of Americans say they are more likely to trust food advice if it comes from a registered dietitian.
• More than 1 in 3 Americans get most of their food information from medical doctors and nurses, food and nutrition scientists, and/or friends and family.