Surveying consumers across the UK who regularly eat out – at takeaways, restaurants, café and pubs – the research provides a timely snapshot of rapidly changing attitudes towards sustainability in the food service industry. More than half the people surveyed (63%) said they were willing to pay a premium for sustainable options when dining out.

Over 70% of those surveyed said they would be likely to choose sustainable options at a restaurant. According to the survey, 81% of UK consumers agree that sustainability is ‘important’ when they’re choosing what to eat and drink.

Just under a quarter of people (22%) are looking to eat more plant-based meat alternatives and as many as 82% of consumers believe that minimising food waste is ‘critical’.

Katya Simmons, managing d Nestlé Professional UK&I, commented: “These findings show a sizeable gap between what consumers want and what they're currently being served by the industry.

“Despite this, the areas highlighted for improvement can be easily implemented by food operators. And as well as injecting a welcome boost of creativity in their operations, the benefits are wide-ranging – improving staff morale as well as increasing customer loyalty. 

“To help operators respond to this pressure, we’ve developed a knowledge base, which consolidates our expertise and consumer insight on sustainability issues impacting the industry right now. This research highlights the urgent need for the industry to get up to speed, and with advice spanning all of the key areas mentioned, we hope this plays a valuable part in that change.” 

Responsible sourcing and animal welfare are other key concerns, with 77% of consumers concerned with animal welfare and 76% agreeing that responsible production in farming, fishing and agriculture are of importance.