Qualitative assessment of eco-labels on fresh produce in Flanders (Belgium) highlights a potential intention–performance gap for the supply chain

Goossens, Yanne; Berrens, Paulien; Charleer, Lynn; Coremans, Pieter; Houbrechts, Melanie; Vervaet, Charlotte; Tavernier, Johan De; Geeraerd, Annemie

doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.05.063

Cited by 28 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…In a previous study we concluded that the current labels on fresh produce in Flanders (Belgium) fail at providing consumers with adequate information on the environmental friendliness of fruits and vegetables (Goossens et al 2017b). In that paper, we suggested using the life cycle assessment approach (LCA), covering the entire food chain and taking into account multiple impacts, in order to move towards performance based information.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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How origin, packaging and seasonality determine the environmental impact of apples, magnified by food waste and losses

Goossens

Berrens

Custers³

et al. 2018

Int J Life Cycle Assess

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Purpose. Using apple consumption in Belgium as a case study, this study examines the environmental impacts associated with Belgian (BE) and New Zealand (NZ) apples, how impacts evolve throughout the year and how packaging affects this impact. Additionally, impacts associated with food losses and food waste along the chain are assessed. The study aims to delineate the most important factors determining environmental impacts associated with apple. Methods. The environmental impacts are calculated using the ILCD (International Reference Life Cycle Data System) approach. The functional unit is 1 kg of apples purchased by a consumer in the supermarket. Primary data was collected through players along the chain. Various scenarios are analysed for both the BE and NZ apple, based on the moment of purchase and packaging method. Food loss and waste impacts are assessed by splitting the impacts along the chain into three categories: apples lost along the supply chain, apples purchased and eaten by the consumer, and apples purchased and wasted by the consumer. Results and discussion. For all impact categories assessed, NZ apples come at a higher environmental cost than BE ones due to overseas transport. For both BE and NZ apples, minimum impacts are found for bulk apples at the beginning of the season, whereas maximum values are found for pre-packed apples at the end of the season. For BE apples, the choice of packaging method highly affects the impact, while it is negligible relative to shipping impacts for NZ apples. Altering secondary packaging materials of BE apples allows for impacts reductions up to 50%. In the case of climate change, food waste and losses contribute up to 25% or 15% for respectively BE or NZ apples , as all lost food travels in vain through the food chain and needs to be disposed of. Conclusions. The study shows the importance of origin and packaging, whereas the moment of purchase hardly affects the environmental impact of apples. From a supply chain perspective, there is room for improvement as altering use of secondary packaging greatly reduces impacts along the chain. The study further highlights how impacts are magnified by food waste and losses.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In our previous paper (Goossens et al 2017b), we further recommend taking into account situational parameters such as time of consumption, origin, production and distribution mode to assess environmental impacts associated with the particular case of fresh produce.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How origin, packaging and seasonality determine the environmental impact of apples, magnified by food waste and losses

Goossens

Berrens

Custers³

et al. 2018

Int J Life Cycle Assess

Self Cite

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“…Despite doubts around attitudes toward sustainability labelling [19,67] this review found a preference for environmental and social responsibility product attributes. In 57% of studies it was found that consumers evaluated environmental and social responsibility labelling information more favourably than nutrition labelling information.…”

Section: Summary Of Key Findingsmentioning

confidence: 90%

Sustainable Diet Dimensions. Comparing Consumer Preference for Nutrition, Environmental and Social Responsibility Food Labelling: A Systematic Review

et al. 2019

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Global food systems are currently challenged by unsustainable and unhealthy consumption and production practices. Food labelling provides information on key characteristics of food items, thereby potentially driving more sustainable food choices or demands. This review explores how consumers value three different elements of sustainable diets: Comparing consumer response to nutrition information on food labels against environmental and/or social responsibility information. Six databases were systematically searched for studies examining consumer choice/preference/evaluation of nutrition against environmental and/or social responsibility attributes on food labels. Studies were quality assessed against domain-based criteria and reported using PRISMA guidelines. Thirty articles with 19,040 participants met inclusion criteria. Study quality was mixed, with samples biased towards highly-educated females. Environmental and social responsibility attributes were preferred to nutrition attributes in 17 studies (11 environmental and six social), compared to nine where nutrition attributes were valued more highly. Three studies found a combination of attributes were valued more highly than either attribute in isolation. One study found no significant preference. The most preferred attribute was organic labelling, with a health inference likely. Consumers generally have a positive view of environmental and social responsibility food labelling schemes. Combination labelling has potential, with a mix of sustainable diet attributes appearing well-received.

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“…Previous studies on environmental labels and declarations focused mainly on topics such as consumer interpretation of recycling signs on packaging [21] and the influence of eco-labels on making sustainable purchasing choices [22]. Research studies on participatory design of environmentally friendly messages, however, have never been seen.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Participatory Environmentally Friendly Message Design: Influence of Message Features and User Characteristics

Chan

2020

IJERPH

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Labels and declarations are one of the tools of environmental management aimed at improving human behavior with regard to the environment. The development process of environmental labels and declarations has been strongly recommended to include participatory consultation with users. Research studies on participatory design of environmentally friendly messages, however, have never been seen. The purpose of this study was to examine participatory environmentally friendly message design with consideration for the effects of message characteristics and user factors. Forty Hong Kong Chinese people adopted a participatory draw-and-tell approach by drawing 26 environmentally friendly messages related to eco-products, energy conservation, and recycling and waste management, and then verbally described their design drawings. The results showed that environmentally friendly messages which were familiar, concrete, easy to visualize, and contained clear context were favored by users, and users with high object imagery preference benefited most from the participatory design through the draw-and-tell approach. This study fills the gap in the literature about participatory design in environmental labels and declarations which are used for promoting eco-friendly behavior in daily life. The findings should help facilitate the participatory development process of environmentally friendly messages for conveying pro-environmental actions.

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Qualitative assessment of eco-labels on fresh produce in Flanders (Belgium) highlights a potential intention–performance gap for the supply chain

Cited by 28 publications

References 30 publications

How origin, packaging and seasonality determine the environmental impact of apples, magnified by food waste and losses

How origin, packaging and seasonality determine the environmental impact of apples, magnified by food waste and losses

Sustainable Diet Dimensions. Comparing Consumer Preference for Nutrition, Environmental and Social Responsibility Food Labelling: A Systematic Review

Participatory Environmentally Friendly Message Design: Influence of Message Features and User Characteristics

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