According to a recent Gallup poll, Americans' confidence in the safety of food available in grocery stores and the federal government's ability to regulate it has decreased significantly. The poll, conducted last month, reveals that only 11% of U.S. adults have a great deal of confidence in the federal government to ensure food safety, while 36% have a fair amount of confidence. This marks the first time a majority of respondents reported having little to no confidence in the government's food safety oversight.
The poll indicates that confidence in grocery store food has also declined, with only 65% of Americans expressing some or very high confidence in the food sold, a drop from 81% in 2019. This decline in trust appears to be more pronounced among Democrats and independents, while Republicans have reported increased confidence in food safety. In 2024, half of Republicans expressed confidence in the government's food safety efforts, compared to nearly three-quarters of Democrats. However, by 2026, Democrats' confidence fell to 30%, while Republicans' confidence rose to 70%.
The timing of this polling coincided with the federal government's declaration of the end of a Cyclospora outbreak, which resulted in stomach illnesses, two deaths, and over 500 hospitalizations across 21 states. The outbreak was traced back to iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms. Additionally, this summer saw multiple recalls and investigations by the FDA, raising concerns about the public health infrastructure's ability to manage food safety.
The rising food prices have compounded these issues, with the food-at-home Consumer Price Index increasing by 2.2% from August 2025 to August 2026. Many Americans are expressing concerns about the affordability of groceries, which has been a focal point for the current administration's health initiatives. The Gallup poll suggests that Republicans have responded more positively to the administration's food safety messaging compared to Democrats and independents.