NEW YORK — Chipotle’s efforts to recover from food safety issues was named the number-1 food story of 2016 in Hunter Public Relations’ annual Food News Study. The study — conducted in partnership with Libran Research & Consulting — surveyed more than 1,000 Americans and asked respondents to select the top three food stories of the past 12 months.
This year, declining honey bee populations, no-tipping policies and Pokémon Go at restaurants also ranked among the study’s top-10 food-news stories. In addition to the year’s top stories, this year’s study also asked Americans what they considered to be the food or drink of the year. Respondents dubbed 2016 the year of cold brew coffee. Avocado ranked a close second, with turmeric, doughnuts and coconut also making the list.
The study also confirms that consumers are taking action as a result of the food stories presented in the media, with millennials emerging as the generation most likely to alter their behaviour based on food media coverage.
A full version of the study is available at hunterpr.com.
