Bundling food labels: What role could the labels “Organic,” “Local” and “Low Fat” play in fostering the demand for animal‐friendly meat

Abstract

This study investigates whether and how the demand for animal‐friendly pork can benefit from the individual and joint use of the label “Animal Friendly,” “Organic,” “Local,” and “Low Fat.” A choice experiment was conducted to collect the data. The data were analyzed using the random parameter logit and the latent class models. Three consumer segments were identified. Consumers in Segment 1 (pro‐welfare consumers—39% of all respondents) were found to highly value the four labels. The results showed that their price premium for animal‐friendly pork could be increased significantly if the product is also labeled as “Local” or “Low Fat.” The members of Segment 2 (Welfare‐reluctant consumers—41% of all respondents) were found to negatively value the use of the label “Animal Friendly.” For “welfare‐reluctant” consumers, label bundling is of marginal effect. The rem1aining 20% of respondents (“Indifferent” “consumers”) were found to be indifferent to whether the labels “Animal Friendly,” “Organic,” and “Local” are used or not. However, their demand for animal‐friendly pork could significantly increase if the pork is also labeled as “Organic.” [EconLit Citations: C35, C83, D12, Q13, Q18].

Animal Health and Productivity of Organic Greek Pig Farms: The Current Situation and Prospects for Sustainability

“…The most common causes of piglet mortality are an increased number of stillbirths, the crushing of piglets by the sow, and an increased number of dead piglets with low birth weight due to starvation or hypothermia [ 30 , 40 ]. The number of dead piglets in a litter can be reduced by certain management practices, such as the use of modified farrowing houses for sows, cross-feeding, and better support of sows at birth [ 40 , 41 ]. However, improvements in breeding animal selection could also lead to a decrease in piglet mortality [ 42 ].…”

“…One example is the UK pig industry, where labels such as “organic” and “RSPCA-assured” are combined with the type of housing system as indicated on meat packages (i.e., indoor, outdoor, combined indoor/outdoor, slatted floors, straw). Akaichi et al reported that consumer demand for organic pork increases when consumers are offered pork products labelled with agricultural guarantee systems [ 41 ].…”