CHICAGO — Although food safety is a hot topic of discussion within Congress and the U.S. food system, most Americans are not overly concerned about the safety of the U.S. food supply, according to a recent survey from the NPD Group.

Based on the most recent NPD Food Safety Monitor, which was issued Aug. 12, most consumers polled were only "slightly concerned" followed by those who were "somewhat concerned."

When asked how concerned they were about the safety of the U.S. food supply, consumers answered:

NPD relays, however, that on a biweekly basis, there are fluctuations in the percentages of consumers who are not or are concerned about the safety of the U.S. food supply based on whether or not there is a food-safety issue in the news. Depending on the concern, NPD has benchmark information to understand how long it remains of importance to consumers. Overall, the annual averages remain relatively constant, NPD said.

The NPD Group, a leading market research company, continually tracks consumer awareness and concern about food-safety issues, as well as their eating intentions. Approximately 500 adults are asked a series of questions related to food safety every other week, and NPD issues the results in its monthly Food Safety Monitor.