The never-ending battle to educate consumers on modern agricultural practices has a long way to go. However, a recent survey by the Alliance for Food and Farming (AFF) shows that overall, U.S. residents’ concerns about the safety of producer have declined 20% compared to 2016. Additionally, concerns about pesticides have declined 10% in the same period.

The results show that when it comes to produce safety, food purchasers generally trust the current government regulations and food safety efforts. What could be driving the shift? According to AFF Executive Director Teresa Thorne, the pandemic certainly caused consumers to shift their focus on safety toward other elements in their lives.

Read more on consumers’ perceptions of U.S. food products here.