McCain Foods says a new global consumer survey suggests French fries remain the preferred potato dish across multiple countries, with respondents linking fries to comfort, sharing and late-night eating habits.
The company released its inaugural Spud Report on Tuesday ahead of the International Day of the Potato, based on research conducted with Pollara Strategic Insights involving more than 12,000 adults across 11 countries.
The report found French fries ranked as the favourite potato dish in every country surveyed, surpassing what McCain described as local and traditional potato dishes.
The findings also pointed to strong emotional and social associations with fries among respondents. According to the survey, 78 per cent of respondents globally said fries would improve their mood, while 55 per cent said fries make them feel happy and 46 per cent said they make them feel relaxed.
McCain said the report is intended to examine how consumers incorporate potatoes and fries into daily routines and social interactions, as the company continues operating in markets around the world.
“Food has a unique way of connecting people, and fries, are no exception,” said Charlie Angelakos, vice-president of external affairs and sustainability at McCain. “The Spud Report confirms something we’ve known instinctively for years: fries are more than a side dish – they’re part of everyday rituals around the world. As a company founded in Canada and now operating in more than 160 countries, we’re proud to help bring those shared moments to tables around the world.”
The report found one in three respondents globally said sharing fries feels more intimate than holding hands, while taking fries from another person’s plate without permission was identified as the most frowned-upon behaviour among those surveyed.
At the same time, the survey suggested many respondents admitted to doing exactly that. McCain said 56 per cent of parents surveyed acknowledged secretly taking fries from their children without being caught.
Late-night consumption also featured prominently in the findings, with 67 per cent of respondents saying they had eaten fries after 10 p.m. Half of respondents globally also said they had put fries inside a sandwich.
Canadian respondents showed some distinct preferences and behaviours compared with the broader global sample, according to the report.
McCain said only one in six Canadians surveyed considered sharing fries more intimate than holding hands. Meanwhile, 68 per cent said double-dipping was unacceptable, although 44 per cent admitted doing it anyway.
The survey also found 71 per cent of Canadians said they become annoyed when someone takes fries from their plate without asking, while 38 per cent acknowledged they had done the same to others. Among Canadian parents surveyed, 67 per cent admitted secretly taking fries from their children.
Ketchup remained the preferred dipping sauce among Canadian respondents, with 63 per cent selecting it as their favourite.
The company said the findings also reflected the role fries can play in restaurant decision-making for consumers. More than half of Canadian respondents, or 52 per cent, said it is important for a restaurant to serve fries, while Canadians were also identified among the respondents most likely to prefer eating fries at restaurants instead of at home.
McCain said the report supports its position as a global producer of frozen potato products and prepared foods as it continues operating in international markets.
McCain Foods was founded in 1957 in Florenceville, N.B. The company says it operates 49 production facilities across six continents, employs about 22,000 people and generates annual sales exceeding $16 billion Canadian.
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