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Products with nutrition and health claims in the Western Balkans: labelling behaviour, regulation and policy implications

Author

Listed:
  • Žaklina Stojanović

    (University of Belgrade)

  • Radmila Dragutinović-Mitrović

    (University of Belgrade)

  • Martine Zaouche-Laniau

    (GEM Etudes et stratégies pour le secteur agroalimentaire)

Abstract

This paper analyses food industry labelling behaviour in regulated and unregulated markets of products with nutrition and health claims (N&H claims) in the Western Balkans. The aim is to find out whether the intervention of the lawmakers in the form of labelling regulation improves transparency of labelling behaviour and facilitates a more informed consumer choice. The analysis is based on a shop survey of 475 products with N&H claims, conducted in six Western Balkan countries (WBC). Statistical inference is derived from the results of the Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis non-parametric tests as well as the Dunn post-test for all pairwise comparisons as a form of simultaneous nonparametric inference. Differences among the countries constituting the region are significant. In comparison with regulated markets in the region, unregulated WBC markets are characterized by a higher level of “spurious” statements dominated by regional/domestic producers not obliged to use scientifically-approved claims in their corporate practices. In these conditions, differences in labelling behaviour are expected as well, which is only partly confirmed by our testing results.

Suggested Citation

  • Žaklina Stojanović & Radmila Dragutinović-Mitrović & Martine Zaouche-Laniau, 2017. "Products with nutrition and health claims in the Western Balkans: labelling behaviour, regulation and policy implications," European Journal of Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 43(1), pages 107-123, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:ejlwec:v:43:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1007_s10657-013-9386-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s10657-013-9386-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Farrell, Jennifer & Ries, Nola M. & Kachan, Natasha & Boon, Heather, 2009. "Foods and natural health products: Gaps and ambiguities in the Canadian regulatory regime," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 34(4), pages 388-392, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Koji Domon & Alessandro Melcarne & Giovanni B. Ramello, 2022. "Fake & original: the case of Japanese food in Southeast Asian countries," European Journal of Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 54(2), pages 327-347, October.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Food industry; Nutrition and health claims; Regulation; Food labelling; Non-parametric tests;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • K32 - Law and Economics - - Other Substantive Areas of Law - - - Energy, Environmental, Health, and Safety Law
    • Q13 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Agricultural Markets and Marketing; Cooperatives; Agribusiness
    • C14 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Semiparametric and Nonparametric Methods: General

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