More than a quarter of Westcountry schoolchildren think beef burgers come from pigs, according to a UK survey commissioned by insurance company Cornish Mutual to examine children's attitudes to food sourcing, reports Westernmorningnews.co.uk.
Sad to say, of the 1,100 children (between the ages of six and eight) questioned, almost two-thirds are clueless about where the food they regularly eat comes from. Some of the most baffling theories held by youngsters are that eggs are produced by sheep, yoghurts contain turkey or duck - and bacon is the product of horses. Fewer than one in four know that beef burgers are sourced from cows, with 29 per cent saying beef burgers come from pigs. Some youngsters think burgers come from McDonald's or Burger King. Other bizarre responses are that rabbits, plastic or sheep are the main ingredient of crisps - and ice-cream is made with cheese, air, fish or potatoes.
Alan Goddard, managing director of Cornish Mutual, said he was "surprised" by the findings, particularly since farming and the countryside was at the heart of the South West economy.
Perhaps there is hope. Nearly 70 percent of the kids knew they should eat five portions of fruit or vegetables a day as part of a healthy diet.
Then again, this study reminds me of a U.S. study a few years ago. Children were asked to draw a fish, and the majority drew a fish stick.
