LONDON—Nearly two-thirds of children in the United Kingdom cannot identify the origins of everyday foods they consume, according to a new survey from Cornish Mutual Insurance. Disturbingly, some kids believe beef burgers come from McDonalds or Burger King, eggs from sheep, that yogurts were made using turkeys or ducks, ham came from the co-op, bacon from horses, goats or peacocks and cheese originated from butterflies, rats or mice.
Less than one in four knew that beef burgers are sourced from cows, with 29 percent saying beef burgers came from pigs. More than 1,100 youngsters from Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset, between the ages of six and eight, were surveyed to determine their level of awareness and knowledge of vegetables, dairy products and meat products. Other findings revealed kids believe rabbits, plastic or sheep were the main ingredient of potato chips while some thought ice cream was made with cheese, air, fish or potatoes.
Children’s overall level of recognition of vegetables was high, ranging from 98 percent for carrots and sweet corn to a low of 44 percent for turnip. Animal recognition was higher, with kids correctly identifying cows, 99 percent for pigs, 98 percent for chickens and 97 percent for sheep. Nearly 70 percent gave the correct answer of five portions of fruit or vegetables a day as part of a healthy diet.
The food survey coincides with the launch of a new campaign called "Dig Down South West" aimed at encouraging children to start their own vegetable patch.