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Consumer Use of Information: Implications for Food Policy

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  • Aldrich, Lorna

Abstract

Government programs that are designed to improve health by changing diets focus on information: education, public information campaigns, and regulation of advertising and labeling. Research from several social science disciplines offers insights for public dissemination and regulation of nutrition information. A review of selected literature in economics, nutrition education, and marketing highlights several research themes. These are the need to motivate consumers to use nutrition information, the value consumers place on time, the possibility that information can change the effects of income on food choices, and the value of enhanced life and health from improved nutrition.

Suggested Citation

  • Aldrich, Lorna, 1999. "Consumer Use of Information: Implications for Food Policy," Miscellaneous Publications 330083, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:uersmp:330083
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.330083
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Mojduszka, Eliza M. & Everett, Rachel M., 2003. "Endogenous Consumer Preferences And Knowledge About Nutrition," 2003 Annual meeting, July 27-30, Montreal, Canada 22074, American Agricultural Economics Association (New Name 2008: Agricultural and Applied Economics Association).
    2. Golan, Elise H. & Kuchler, Fred & Mitchell, Lorraine, 2000. "Economics Of Food Labeling," Agricultural Economic Reports 34069, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    3. Mojduszka, Eliza M. & Everett, Rachel M. & Nemana, Aparna, 2005. "Exogenous vs. Endogenous Consumer Preferences and Knowledge about Nutrition," 2005 International Congress, August 23-27, 2005, Copenhagen, Denmark 24630, European Association of Agricultural Economists.
    4. Umberger, Wendy J. & Scott, Emily M. & Stringer, Randy, 2008. "Australian Consumers' Concerns and Preferences for Food Policy Alternatives," 2008 Annual Meeting, July 27-29, 2008, Orlando, Florida 6174, American Agricultural Economics Association (New Name 2008: Agricultural and Applied Economics Association).
    5. Louise Heslop, 2006. "If we label it, will they care? The effect of GM-ingredient labelling on consumer responses," Journal of Consumer Policy, Springer, vol. 29(2), pages 203-228, June.
    6. Tomas Philipson & Richard Posner, 2008. "Is the Obesity Epidemic a Public Health Problem? A Decade of Research on the Economics of Obesity," NBER Working Papers 14010, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    7. Ricciuto, Laurie E. & Tarasuk, Valerie S., 2007. "An examination of income-related disparities in the nutritional quality of food selections among Canadian households from 1986-2001," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 64(1), pages 186-198, January.
    8. Lee, Cheryl Hill & Schluter, Gerald E., 2002. "Why Do Food Manufacturers Introduce New Products?," Journal of Food Distribution Research, Food Distribution Research Society, vol. 33(1), pages 1-10, March.
    9. Muradian, Roldan & Pelupessy, Wim, 2005. "Governing the coffee chain: The role of voluntary regulatory Systems," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 33(12), pages 2029-2044, December.

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