Welcome to the (label) jungle? Analyzing how consumers deal with intra-sustainability label trade-offs on food

Sonntag, Winnie Isabel; Lemken, Dominic; Spiller, Achim; Schulze, Maureen

doi:10.1016/j.foodqual.2022.104746

Cited by 17 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 66 publications

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“…However, a review suggested this could also be a result of inconsistency in reference values and indicators or dimensions considered; therefore, the same profiling models should be used ( 65 ). Even though there are some doubts about the transparency of some certification processes, e.g., of sustainable fisheries, a study found that products certified had between 3 and 5 times less probabilities to have harmful practices ( 23 ); lack of credibility ( 46 , 66 , 67 ); unfamiliarity ( 68 ); confusion regarding the content of the label since it affects its effectiveness ( 10 ). Along with trust in the label ( 66 ), being provided with clear and meaningful information on eco-labels is particularly relevant for consumers as they may misunderstand it ( 69 , 70 ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Strengths and weaknesses of food eco-labeling: a review

Tiboni-Oschilewski,

Abarca,

Santa Rosa Pierre

et al. 2024

Front. Nutr.

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Food labeling is increasingly expanding and adding more information to the food package. There is strong evidence about nutrition labeling effectiveness in driving food choice, especially if displayed in the front of package (FoP). Despite the growing attention to nutrition and sustainable diets, few countries have implemented sustainable labels or eco-labels that could address economic, social and/or environmental concerns. Implementing new techniques of eco-labeling emerges as a consumer-focused solution. However, evidence of the effectiveness of eco-labeling in driving consumers’ choices is heterogeneous and not univocal. Thus, this review aims to summarize the evidence about the effectiveness of FoP eco-labeling in driving food choice and provide a reference framework of the eco-labeling initiatives relative to food package labeling. This narrative review addresses both the potential benefits as well as the main concerns that arise from the use of eco-labels. Although eco-labeling seems to provide a series of sustainability benefits for producers and consumers, the implementation of such policies should take into consideration potential trade-offs and inter-sectorial coordination to obtain bigger impacts, assuming that a policy itself cannot transform the whole food system. Eco-labeling could be encouraged and implemented within a set of policies shaping sustainable food systems.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Strengths and weaknesses of food eco-labeling: a review

Tiboni-Oschilewski,

Abarca,

Santa Rosa Pierre

et al. 2024

Front. Nutr.

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“…These certifications serve as a guarantee for consumers and provide information about the production, sourcing and distribution of their food (Majer et al, 2022). In this way, consumers can make better informed and more conscious purchasing decisions (Isabel Sonntag et al, 2023). Voluntary sustainability standards and certifications such as organic, fair trade, GMO-free and sustainability seals have become widely recognised symbols that indicate compliance with certain standards and practices.…”

Section: British Food Journalmentioning

confidence: 99%

Value seeking, health-conscious or sustainability-concerned? Profiling fruit and vegetable consumers in Euro-Mediterranean countries

Camanzi,

Ahmadi Kaliji,

Prosperi

et al. 2024

BFJ

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PurposeThe aim of this study was to investigate consumer preferences and profile their food-related lifestyles, as well as to identify consumer groups with similar attitudes/behaviours in the Euro-Mediterranean fruit and vegetable market.Design/methodology/approachA structured questionnaire was designed drawing from the food related lifestyles instrument and including other factors relevant to fruit and vegetable consumer preferences. The data were collected in an online survey with 925 participants in France, Greece, and Italy. A principal component analysis was conducted to interpret and examine consumers' fruit and vegetable related lifestyles. In addition, a cluster analysis was performed to identify different consumer segments, based on the core dimensions of the food-related lifestyle approach.FindingsIn each country, three primary consumer segments were distinguished. Health-conscious individuals were predominant in France and Greece, while quality-conscious consumers were prevalent in Italy. These classifications were determined considering various factors such as purchase motivation, perception of product quality, health concerns, environmental certifications, and price sensitivity.Originality/valueThe food-related lifestyle approach has been adapted instrument to create a customised survey instrument specifically designed to capture the intricacies of fruit and vegetable consumer preferences and priorities in three Euro-Mediterranean Countries.

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“…Numerous sustainability standards and certifications have been established in alignment with policy-driven and voluntary sustainability initiatives to promote and communicate sustainable practices in the food industry [3]. Examples include organic certifications, carbon footprint labels, nutrition labels, eco-labels, fairtrade labels, certifications for responsible sourcing or animal welfare, and so on [36]. There are also numerous international standards, including ISO 9000, ISO 26000, GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices), HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points), SPC (Statistical Process Control), and FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) that guide various aspects of sustainability within the food industry.…”

Section: Overview Of Existing Sustainability Communication Across Foo...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Restricted availability of sustainability information beyond simple labels/claims [15] Information overload The abundant of sustainability labels, certifications, and claims [36,38] Greenwashing False or exaggerated claims about sustainability practices [39,40] Lack of collaboration Fragmented efforts in designing and communicating sustainable practices [41] Due to the availability of numerous sustainability initiatives that define sustainability and other related concepts from diverse dimensions, there is a lack of standardised frameworks and guidelines for sustainability metrics and rating systems in the food industry [9,37]. This further results in inconsistency and confusion in interpreting sustainability messages by humans and machines.…”

Section: Existing Barriers Description Sourcesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Blockchain Traceability for Sustainability Communication in Food Supply Chains: An Architectural Framework, Design Pathway and Considerations

Cao,

Xu,

Bryceson

2023

Sustainability

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The increasing demand for sustainable and ethically sourced food products has highlighted the importance of effective sustainability communication within the food supply chain. Existing sustainability communication approaches encounter limitations such as a lack of standardised frameworks, information overload, greenwashing, and an absence of transparent reporting. These challenges hinder their effectiveness and reliability in communicating sustainability efforts and commitments to businesses and consumers in a food chain. Blockchain technology, with its transparent, traceable, verifiable, and immutable features, offers a promising solution to address these limitations and facilitate effective sustainability communication. This paper explores the benefits of applying blockchain traceability to enhance sustainability communication in food supply chains. Using the system architecture approach, this paper proposes a high-level architectural framework, which can navigate the design and development of a blockchain-enabled solution for food sustainability communication. To assist with the translation of the architectural framework into a tailored solution, this paper further presents an action design pathway and discusses the design considerations around organisation, technology, governance, cost, and the user interface. The discussions and insights offered by this study can guide system developers and business analysts in the design and development of industry-oriented solutions, helping them make informed decisions before and during the design process. This paper contributes to advancing and expanding blockchain applications with a particular focus on sustainability communication in food supply chains.

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Welcome to the (label) jungle? Analyzing how consumers deal with intra-sustainability label trade-offs on food

Cited by 17 publications

References 66 publications

Strengths and weaknesses of food eco-labeling: a review

Strengths and weaknesses of food eco-labeling: a review

Value seeking, health-conscious or sustainability-concerned? Profiling fruit and vegetable consumers in Euro-Mediterranean countries

Blockchain Traceability for Sustainability Communication in Food Supply Chains: An Architectural Framework, Design Pathway and Considerations

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