Botanicals: consumed by whom and where?

Although there is no agreed definition of botanicals in Europe or elsewhere, the European Food Safety Authority has defined botanicals as “a substance used as either a food or a medicine which may be derived from plants, fungi, algae or lichens”. Examples include ginseng, ginkgo biloba and garlic. Botanicals are used as ingredients in foods and/or food supplements. Traditionally not captured to a significant degree as part of dietary surveys, there is little data on intake and attitudes to botanicals in the UK despite market research suggesting their increase availability. Any existing data suggests usage levels by about 10% of people who take food supplements as part of their usual intakes but beyond this intake patterns are less clear. The current research will investigate the availability of and attitudes to botanicals. It will also investigate their use particularly in population groups such as older adults and those engaged in sports.

Specific skills/experience required by applicants:

Experience in dietary assessment and/or consumer research methods would be an advantage but not essential.