Counterfeit products continue to be a concern for many Americans, and research shows that, on average, they believe 29 percent of products manufactured in the U.S. are fake. A survey by Morning Consult sponsored by Bayer found that 66 percent of Americans are very or somewhat concerned about the manufacturing and sale of counterfeit products.
This perception appears to be growing. Morning Consult’s research found that 53 percent of survey respondents describe it as more of a problem than it was three years ago. Only four percent of respondents consider it less of a problem today.
In how counterfeit products can impact their lives, product safety topped the list (43 percent), followed by quality (23 percent), overall effects on the U.S. economy (13 percent), effects on legitimate brands and businesses (nine percent) and efficacy of products (three percent).
While fake handbags and wallets (64 percent), jewelry and watches (55 percent) and apparel (53 percent) are most often associated in consumers’ minds with counterfeit products, the survey found the product categories that most concerned them regarding potential counterfeits were pharmaceuticals and medications (56 percent), pet medications (36 percent) and automotive parts (32 percent).
Despite their concerns, consumers also do not consider themselves well informed on the issue. Morning Consult found that 59 percent do not consider themselves very informed on how to identify counterfeit products, and that 61 percent don’t know where to look for this information.
