IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/wly/agribz/v39y2023i1p28-50.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Toward a differentiated understanding of the effect of Nutri‐Score nutrition labeling on healthier food choices

Author

Listed:
  • Birgit Gassler
  • Claudia K. Faesel
  • Anke Moeser

Abstract

By 2022, the European Commission seeks to introduce harmonized, mandatory front‐of‐pack (FOP) nutrition labeling. The color‐graded Nutri‐Score is at the heart of the European debate. Yet, little is known about how the information provided in back‐of‐pack (BOP) nutrition tables interacts with evaluative FOP labels, such as Nutri‐Score, and if different consumer groups use both information cues differently when making food choices. Our objective is thus to identify segments of nutrition label users and contrast their choice behavior and use of FOP and BOP nutritional information. Therefore, this study builds on an attitude‐based segmentation analysis and a survey‐based discrete choice experiment among German consumers. We identify five segments of nutritional information users and significant interaction effects between FOP and BOP nutritional cues. Consumers use supplementary nutritional information differently: relying on BOP nutrition facts only (label‐resisters) or combining both information cues (majority). For most, Nutri‐Score reinforces the positive effect of a healthier nutrient profile on purchase likelihood, while its use stigmatizes products of low nutritional quality. Overall, supplementary Nutri‐Score labeling enables better alignment of food choices and health preferences, especially for consumers overwhelmed by technical BOP nutrition tables, and helps differentiate products with relatively unhealthy nutritional profiles. We discuss implications for food policy and business. [EconLit citations: D12, Q13, Q18].

Suggested Citation

  • Birgit Gassler & Claudia K. Faesel & Anke Moeser, 2023. "Toward a differentiated understanding of the effect of Nutri‐Score nutrition labeling on healthier food choices," Agribusiness, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 39(1), pages 28-50, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:agribz:v:39:y:2023:i:1:p:28-50
    DOI: 10.1002/agr.21762
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1002/agr.21762
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1002/agr.21762?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Pierre Dubois & Paulo Albuquerque & Olivier Allais & Céline Bonnet & Patrice Bertail & Pierre Combris & Saadi Lahlou & Natalie Rigal & Bernard Ruffieux & Pierre Chandon, 2021. "Effects of front-of-pack labels on the nutritional quality of supermarket food purchases: evidence from a large-scale randomized controlled trial," Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Springer, vol. 49(1), pages 119-138, January.
    2. Andreas C. Drichoutis & Panagiotis Lazaridis & Rodolfo M. Nayga, 2005. "Nutrition knowledge and consumer use of nutritional food labels," European Review of Agricultural Economics, Oxford University Press and the European Agricultural and Applied Economics Publications Foundation, vol. 32(1), pages 93-118, March.
    3. Grunert, Klaus G. & Hieke, Sophie & Wills, Josephine, 2014. "Sustainability labels on food products: Consumer motivation, understanding and use," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 177-189.
    4. Paolo Crosetto & Anne Lacroix & Laurent Muller & Bernard Ruffieux, 2020. "Nutritional and economic impact of five alternative front-of-pack nutritional labels: experimental evidence [Prospective association between a dietary quality index based on a nutrient profiling sy," European Review of Agricultural Economics, Oxford University Press and the European Agricultural and Applied Economics Publications Foundation, vol. 47(2), pages 785-818.
    5. van Doorn, Jenny & Verhoef, Peter C., 2011. "Willingness to pay for organic products: Differences between virtue and vice foods," International Journal of Research in Marketing, Elsevier, vol. 28(3), pages 167-180.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Á. Ní Choisdealbha & P. D. Lunn, 2020. "Green and Simple: Disclosures on Eco-labels Interact with Situational Constraints in Consumer Choice," Journal of Consumer Policy, Springer, vol. 43(4), pages 699-722, December.
    2. Yu Na Lee & Laura Stortz & Mike von Massow & Christopher Kimmerer, 2023. "Impact of ‘‘high in” front‐of‐package nutrition labeling on food choices: Evidence from a grocery shopping experiment," Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics/Revue canadienne d'agroeconomie, Canadian Agricultural Economics Society/Societe canadienne d'agroeconomie, vol. 71(3-4), pages 277-301, September.
    3. Fichera, Eleonora & von Hinke, Stephanie, 2020. "The response to nutritional labels: Evidence from a quasi-experiment," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    4. Apostolidis, Chrysostomos & McLeay, Fraser, 2016. "Should we stop meating like this? Reducing meat consumption through substitution," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 74-89.
    5. Panzone, Luca A. & Lemke, Fred & Petersen, Henry L., 2016. "Biases in consumers' assessment of environmental damage in food chains and how investments in reputation can help," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 327-337.
    6. Hansen, Torben, 2022. "Consumer food sustainability before and during the Covid-19 Crisis: A quantitative content analysis and food policy implications," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 107(C).
    7. Schruff-Lim, Eva-Maria & Van Loo, Ellen J. & van Kleef, Ellen & van Trijp, Hans C.M., 2023. "Turning FOP nutrition labels into action: A systematic review of label+ interventions," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 120(C).
    8. Robertson, Deirdre A. & Andersson, Ylva & Lunn, Peter D., 2023. "How consumer and provider responses to nutritional labelling interact: An online shopping experiment with implications for policy," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 121(C).
    9. Alexander J. Stein & Marcelo Lima, 2022. "Sustainable food labelling: considerations for policy-makers," Review of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Studies, Springer, vol. 103(2), pages 143-160, June.
    10. Robert Mai & Stefan Hoffmann & Ingo Balderjahn, 2021. "When drivers become inhibitors of organic consumption: the need for a multistage view," Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Springer, vol. 49(6), pages 1151-1174, November.
    11. Paolo Crosetto & Laurent Muller & Bernard Ruffieux, 2024. "Label or taxes: why not both? Testing nutritional mixed policies in the lab," Working Papers 2024-01, Grenoble Applied Economics Laboratory (GAEL).
    12. Magdalena Maciaszczyk & Artur Kwasek & Maria Kocot & Damian Kocot, 2022. "Determinants of Purchase Behavior of Young E-Consumers of Eco-Friendly Products to Further Sustainable Consumption Based on Evidence from Poland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-16, February.
    13. Katja H. Brunk & Cara Boer, 2020. "How do Consumers Reconcile Positive and Negative CSR-Related Information to Form an Ethical Brand Perception? A Mixed Method Inquiry," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 161(2), pages 443-458, January.
    14. Feucht, Yvonne & Zander, Katrin, 2017. "Consumers' Willingness to Pay for Climate-Friendly Food in European Countries," 2018 International European Forum (163rd EAAE Seminar), February 5-9, 2018, Innsbruck-Igls, Austria 276930, International European Forum on System Dynamics and Innovation in Food Networks.
    15. Antonino Galati & Giuseppina Migliore & Alkis Thrassou & Giorgio Schifani & Giuseppina Rizzo & Nino Adamashvili & Maria Crescimanno, 2023. "Consumers’ Willingness to Pay for Agri-Food Products Delivered with Electric Vehicles in the Short Supply Chains," FIIB Business Review, , vol. 12(2), pages 193-207, June.
    16. Coralie Hellwig & Kim Bolton & Greta Häggblom-Kronlöf & Kamran Rousta, 2022. "Aspects Affecting Food Choice in Daily Life as Well as Drivers and Barriers to Engagement with Fungi-Based Food—A Qualitative Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-25, December.
    17. Tiia-Lotta Pekkanen, 2021. "Institutions and Agency in the Sustainability of Day-to-Day Consumption Practices: An Institutional Ethnographic Study," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 168(2), pages 241-260, January.
    18. Jessica Aschemann-Witzel & Stephan Zielke, 2017. "Can't Buy Me Green? A Review of Consumer Perceptions of and Behavior Toward the Price of Organic Food," Journal of Consumer Affairs, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 51(1), pages 211-251, March.
    19. Yokessa, Maïmouna & Marette, Stéphan, 2019. "A Review of Eco-labels and their Economic Impact," International Review of Environmental and Resource Economics, now publishers, vol. 13(1-2), pages 119-163, April.
    20. Balcombe, Kelvin & Fraser, Iain & Falco, Salvatore Di, 2010. "Traffic lights and food choice: A choice experiment examining the relationship between nutritional food labels and price," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 35(3), pages 211-220, June.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:wly:agribz:v:39:y:2023:i:1:p:28-50. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Wiley Content Delivery (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)1520-6297 .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.