It would be nice if the supermarkets had less water added to their meats - I believe the EU maximum is 10%. This is a figure I find quite astonishing given that this added water serves no purpose other than to add weight.

Bio (organic) meats are, I believe, free from this practice.

By Gemma | July 10, 2012 3:38 PM

Are you kidding? Which are the requirements to judge the good quality? Tasteless and produced in the greenhouse??? Full of hormones and everything looking the same (and even worse - tasting the same)???...

By Leo | July 10, 2012 4:03 PM

Researchers at The Economist obviously didn't shop at Albert Heijn, otherwise the country would have been lower down the rankings relative to affordability and quality.

I came back from a holiday on a Greek island just recently. Whilst there I had the opportunity to chat to a number of locals who had lived for periods of time in the Netherlands. All agreed that supermarket food here, particularly meat and fresh produce, was of poor quality and very expensive. Of course there are a growing number of 'biological' markets and shops, but who can afford those prices week in, week out?

By Russell | July 10, 2012 4:11 PM

So much for the ranking by the Economist. It evidently did not take into account that almost all our food in the U.S. is GMO food. Medical Science has determined there is a direct lin between GMO food/sweeteners and the epidemic of Autism that has increased 87% between 2002 and 2008. Food in the U.S. is not only of poor quality it is dangerous and Monsanto is being exposed for its tactics. And I have lieved in the U.S. for the past 48 years. I would go back to Holland in a heartbeat and I know that when I eat food, at least it isn't all GMO

By G.vaccaro | July 10, 2012 4:12 PM

How about hygiene?
I've never seen a Nederlander use gloves in a food shop, they always handle unwrapped food (eg. bread, meat, ice-cream cones) and money alternately.

By Sharon | July 10, 2012 6:14 PM

AH & Dirks consistently run out of the basic foodstuff I want to buy - fresh bread, milk, meat... at least twice a week I can't buy what I want. It's an appalling situation, they are supposed to be "Supermarkets"!!

By Anne Onymous | July 10, 2012 11:47 PM

We might quibble about it being mass-produced and often tasteless, but let's face it, these are luxury problems... in the Netherlands we have very easy access to safe, plentiful food. We don't suffer from poor nutrition or shortages or mass food poisoning. Grass is always greener on the other side - but we should not forget how lucky we are.

By Shirley | July 11, 2012 8:57 AM

@Sharon, and yet you rarely see cases of food poisoning here. Maybe what you perceive as unhygienic, isn't a problem at all.

By tim | July 11, 2012 9:19 AM

What worries me is that there is a "global food security" index. Secure against what? Every part of our society seems to be headed towards a global "solution" and this doesn't bode well. Maybe 5 years from now all we will have is stampot and nettle soup. Don't laugh!;-p

By AW | July 11, 2012 9:34 AM

@tim; sharon is correct, I for one always watch the workers and refuse to take the product when concerned, what do you mean 'rarely see cases of food poisoning here'most suffer in silence or go to hospital? your only fooling yourself.It would be interesting to know how the Economist Intelligence Unit (clearly an oxymorron)did their research.

By wilma | July 11, 2012 11:20 AM

Why are people that upset when the Netherlands does well in a survey? Always questioning the research methods and partiality. When the Netherlands does bad in a survey however nobody questions these things.

By tim | July 11, 2012 2:24 PM

Did no one read the excellent comment of @Shirley? Step into parts of Asia and Africa, and then make your comments about gloves, tastelessness and availability.

By GS | July 11, 2012 4:10 PM