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Research article - Peer-reviewed, 2019

Evaluating Consumer Understanding of the Swedish Meat Guide-A Multi-layered Environmental Information Tool Communicating Trade-offs When Choosing Food

Spendrup, Sara; Roos, Elin; Schutt, Emma

Abstract

To facilitate the choice of more sustainable animal-based products in the diet, a Swedish meat guide providing complex, multi-layered environmental information to non-experts has been developed. This study evaluated reception of this guide by consumers. In five focus groups, participants ("interested consumers") carried out a joint environmental and animal welfare ranking assignment to test understanding and use of the guide. The type and detail of indicators (e.g. carbon footprint) in the meat guide suited the audience. The guide stimulated discussion on ethical issues and quality aspects of meat, revealed perceived obstacles to reducing meat consumption and provided an understanding that any food product chosen comes with trade-offs.

Keywords

Environmental information; sustainable food consumption; consumer guidance; meat guide; food

Published in

Environmental Communication
2019, Volume: 13, number: 1, pages: 87-103
Publisher: ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD

      SLU Authors

    • Sustainable Development Goals

      SDG2 Zero hunger
      SDG12 Responsible consumption and production

      UKÄ Subject classification

      Economics

      Publication identifier

      DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17524032.2017.1308402

      Permanent link to this page (URI)

      https://res.slu.se/id/publ/97826