The report found that 94% of consumers trust UK food – the highest level of trust recorded among the institutions measured, including the NHS and tap water.
Trust in British farmers also remains high, with 80% of consumers expressing confidence in the sector, although many admit they have a limited understanding of how food is produced.
Read the latest The Trust in Food Index 2026 from Red Tractor
Concerns over imported food
There is less confidence in imported food, with more than a third of consumers (37%) saying they are not confident that imported products meet UK standards.
The report also highlights the growing importance of food assurance schemes, with certification now cited as a driver of trust by 74% of consumers, up from 54% in 2022.
Core standards needed
In response to the findings, NFU Deputy President Paul Tompkins said the results show the public’s confidence in the UK’s high standards of food production, environmental stewardship and animal welfare.
He reiterated calls for the Government to introduce core production standards that would apply equally to domestic and imported food sold in the UK.
The NFU Deputy President also stressed the need for ensuring assurance schemes remain practical and valuable for farmers, while maintaining the transparency needed to sustain public confidence in the food supply chain.
“The report also highlights a lack of confidence on standards of imported products. This is why we continue to call on government to introduce a robust system of core production standards that must be met by both domestically produced and imported food to be sold in the UK.”
“We continue to call on government to introduce a robust system of core production standards that must be met by both domestically produced and imported food to be sold in the UK.”
NFU Deputy President Paul Tompkins
Farm assurance schemes
NFU Deputy President Paul Tompkins went on to say, “While the Red Tractor logo continues to serve as a beacon of reassurance for shoppers, our farmers must also feel valued and supported by the assurance schemes that govern them.
“The NFU will continue to work constructively with Red Tractor, developing the Farm Assurance Review recommendations, to ensure that standards remain practical, add clear value to farming businesses and do not impose unfair bureaucratic burdens on producers.
“Maintaining public trust is absolutely vital. It requires continuous dialogue and transparency throughout the whole supply chain in order to build a resilient and thriving industry, so we can continue producing high-quality food for the nation.”
