The Awareness of the EU Food Labelling System Among University Students
Abstract
A high level of competition combined with food safety related risks gives cause for producers to offer and consumers to seek means of reducing the risk involved in transactions. One such means is a food labelling system. The article presents the results of research aimed at determining the awareness of the food labelling system among young people. A diagnostic survey method was used in the research and a tool constituted an anonymous questionnaire that was completed by 451 students. The awareness may be described as low. The symbol of a green leaf (called EURO-LISTEK in Polish) was recognized by a fifth of the respondents. The awareness of quality symbols was much lower. A few of the respondents named the product on which a symbol was put and the greatest difficulty was to specify the content which a given symbol delivered. The fact that the system of labelling food products is hardly known is particularly troubling since the research was conducted two years after the Agricultural Market Agency launched a campaign promoting the EU system of symbols called "Three Symbols of Taste". It is recommended that advertising campaigns are designed in such a way as to inform young consumers about the advantages of certified food products as well as to carry out educational activities targeted at young consumers.
References
Agricultural Product Quality Policy: Impact Assessment. Part B, Geographical Indications (2009), Version: 08-4-09, Brussels.
Alba, J. W., Hutchinson, J. W. (2000). Knowledge calibration. What consumers know and what they think they know. J. Consum. Res., 27, 123-156.
Baltas, G. (2001). Nutrition labelling: issues and policies. Eur. J. Mark., 35, 708-721.
Beruchashvili, M., Moisio, R., Heisley, D. D. (2014). What are you dieting for? The role of lay theories in dieters' goal setting. J. Consum. Behav., 13, 50-55.
Bryła, P. (2013). Marketing ekologicznych produktów żywnościowych - wyniki badań wśród polskich przetwórców [Marketing of Ecological Food Products - Results of a Research Study Among Polish Processors]. Rocz. Ochron. Środ., XV, 2899-2910.
Carpenter, M., Larceneux, F. (2008). Label equity and the effectiveness of values-based labels. An experiment with two French Protected Geographic Indication labels. Int. J. Consum. Stud., 32, 499-507.
Case, D. O. (2002). Looking for Information: A Survey of Research on Information Seeking, Needs and Behavior. Bingley, UK: Emerald Group Pub.
Cheftel, J. C. (2005). Food and nutrition labelling in the European Union. Food Chem., 93, 531-550.
Chudzian, J., Chatys, M. (2014). Znajomość znaków ekologicznych wśród młodych konsumentów [Awareness of eco-labeling vs young consumers' preferences]. Rocz. Nauk. SERiA, XVI (6), 82-88.
Dörnyei, K. R., Gyulavári, T. (2016). Why do not you read the label? - an integrated framework of consumer label information search. Int. J. Consum. Stud., 40, 92-100.
Drichoutis, A., Lazaridis, P., Nayga, Jr, R. M. (2006). Consumers' use of nutritional labels: a review of research studies and issues. Acad. Mark. Sci. Rev., 10, 1-22.
Festila, A., Chrysochou, P., Krystallis, A. (2014). Consumer response to food labels in an emerging market: the case of Romania. Int. J. Consum. Stud., 38, 166-174.
García, R., Jukes, D. (2004). The Spanish system of food controls its administration and enforcement. Food Control 15(1), 51-59.
Grunert, K. G., Wills, J. M., Fernandez-Celemın, L. (2010). Nutrition knowledge, and use and understanding of nutrition information on food labels among consumers in the UK. Appetite 55, 177-189.
Hall, C., Osses, F. (2013). A review to inform understanding of the use of food safety messages on food labels. Int. J. Consum. Stud., 37, 422-432.
Hoogland, C. T., de Boer, J., Boersema, J. J. (2007). Food and Sustainability. Do consumers recognize, understand and value on-package information production standards? Appetite, 49, 47-57.
Janssen, M., Hamm, U. (2012). Product labelling in the market for organic food. Consumer preferences and willingness-to-pay for different organic certification logos. Food Qual. Prefer., 25, 9-22.
Komunikat Komisji do Rady, Parlamentu Europejskiego, Europejskiego Komitetu Ekonomiczno-Społecznego i Komitetu Regionów w sprawie polityki jakości produktów rolnych z 28.05.2009 r. KOM (2009) 234 wersja ostateczna [Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the policy of agricultural produce quality].
Kristensen, D. B., Askegaard, S., Jeppesen, L. H. (2013). 'If it makes you feel good it must be right': embodiment strategies for healthy eating and risk management. J. Consum. Behav., 12, 243-252.
Rośnie świadomość polskich konsumentów [Growing awereness of Polish consumers] (2015). Retrieved Sep 20th 2015 from: http://www.biznes.newseria.pl/news/ rosnie_swiadomosc,p1182762719.
Rozporządzenie Parlamentu Europejskiego i Rady (UE) Nr 1144/2014 z dnia 22 października 2014 r. w sprawie działań informacyjnych i promocyjnych dotyczących produktów rolnych wdrażanych na rynku wewnętrznym i w państwach trzecich oraz uchylające rozporządzenie Rady (WE) nr 3/2008. Dz. Urz. UE L 317 z 04.11.2014 [Regulation (EU) no 1144/2014 of the European parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2014 on information provision and promotion measures concerning agricultural products implemented in the internal market and in third countries and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 3/2008].
Rozporządzenie Parlamentu Europejskiego i Rady (UE) Nr 1151/2012 z dnia 21 listopada 2012 r. w sprawie systemów jakości produktów rolnych i środków spożywczych. Dz. Urz. UE L 343 z 14.12.2012 [Regulation (EU) no 1151/2012 of the European parliament and of the Council of 21 November 2012 on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs].
Rozporządzenie Rady (WE) Nr 509/2006 z dnia 20 marca 2006 r. w sprawie produktów rolnych i środków spożywczych będących gwarantowanymi tradycyjnymi specjalnościami. Dz. Urz. WE L 93 z 31.03.2006 [Commission regulation (EC) No 509/2006 of 20 March 2006 on agricultural products and foodstuffs as traditional specialities guaranteed].
Rozporządzenie Rady (WE) Nr 510/2006 z dnia 20 marca 2006 r. w sprawie ochrony oznaczeń geograficznych i nazw pochodzenia produktów rolnych i środków spo-żywczych. Dz. Urz. WE L 93 z 31.03.2006 [Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 of 20 March 2007 on protection of geographical indications and designation of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs].
Rozporządzenie Rady (WE) Nr 834/2007 z dnia 28 czerwca 2007 r. w sprawie produkcji ekologicznej i znakowania produktów ekologicznych i uchylające rozporządzenie (EWG) nr 2092/91. Dz. Urz. UE L 189 z 20.07.2007 [Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 of 28 June 2007 on organic production and labelling of organic products and repealing Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91].
Rozpoznawalność marki "Poznaj Dobrą Żywność" ['Get to Know Good Foodstuff' brand recognition], Raport TNS OBOP (2011). Retrieved Aug 20th 2015 from: http:// www.minrol.gov.pl/content/download/35399/197800/ver-sion/1/file/Raport_15.12.2011.pdf.
Sandberg, K. J. (2013). Consumer response to food labels in Denmark. A study investigating consumers' awareness, understanding and perception of food labels (16-29). Aarhus School of Business and Social Sciences, Aarhus University.
Scott, V., Worsley, A. F. (1994). Ticks, claims, tables and food groups. A comparison for nutrition labelling. Health Prom. Int., 9, 27-37.
Sirieix, L., Delanchy, M., Remaud, H., Zepeda, L., Gurviez, P. (2013). Consumers' perceptions of individual and combined sustainable food labels. A UK pilot investigation. Int. J. Consum. Stud., 37, 143-151.
Special Eurobarometer Report 410. Europeans, Agriculture and The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Report. European Commision (2014). Retrieved Aug 21st 2015 from: http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ ebs_410_en.pdf
van Trijp, H. C., van der Lans, I. A. (2007). Consumer perceptions of nutrition and health claims. Appetite 48, 305-324.
Wyszukiwarka DOOR [online]. Komisja Europejska (2015). Retrieved Aug 20th 2015 from: http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/quality/door/list.htm.
Zander, K. (2014). A Green Leaf? Consumers' Knowledge and Perception of the Mandatory EU Organic Logo. 8th Int. European Forum on System Dynamics and Innovation in Food Networks, Innsbruck-Igls., Austria, 2014, February 17-21 (p. 220-228).
Zielona księga w sprawie jakości produktów rolnych: normy jakości produktów, wymogi w zakresie produkcji rolnej, systemy jakości z 15.10.2008 r. KOM (2008) 641 wersja ostateczna [A green book concernig the quality of agricultural produce: product quality standards, agricultural produce requirements, quality systems from 15.10.2008].
Żakowska-Biemans, S. (2011a). Bariery zakupu żywności ekologicznej w kontekście rozwoju rynku żywności ekologicznej [Barriers to buy organic food in the context of organic food market development]. J. Res. Applic. Agric. Eng., (4), 216-220.
Żakowska-Biemans, S. (2011b). Czynniki warunkujące popyt na żywność ekologiczną w kontekście przeobrażeń rynku żywności ekologicznej w Polsce i innych krajach Europy [Factors determining demand for organic food in the context of transforming organic food market in Poland and other European countries]. Raport z badań, SGGW, Warszawa listopad 2011. Retrieved Aug 22nd 2015 from: http://koek.sggw.pl/Rraport_MINROL.pdf.
Alba, J. W., Hutchinson, J. W. (2000). Knowledge calibration. What consumers know and what they think they know. J. Consum. Res., 27, 123-156.
Baltas, G. (2001). Nutrition labelling: issues and policies. Eur. J. Mark., 35, 708-721.
Beruchashvili, M., Moisio, R., Heisley, D. D. (2014). What are you dieting for? The role of lay theories in dieters' goal setting. J. Consum. Behav., 13, 50-55.
Bryła, P. (2013). Marketing ekologicznych produktów żywnościowych - wyniki badań wśród polskich przetwórców [Marketing of Ecological Food Products - Results of a Research Study Among Polish Processors]. Rocz. Ochron. Środ., XV, 2899-2910.
Carpenter, M., Larceneux, F. (2008). Label equity and the effectiveness of values-based labels. An experiment with two French Protected Geographic Indication labels. Int. J. Consum. Stud., 32, 499-507.
Case, D. O. (2002). Looking for Information: A Survey of Research on Information Seeking, Needs and Behavior. Bingley, UK: Emerald Group Pub.
Cheftel, J. C. (2005). Food and nutrition labelling in the European Union. Food Chem., 93, 531-550.
Chudzian, J., Chatys, M. (2014). Znajomość znaków ekologicznych wśród młodych konsumentów [Awareness of eco-labeling vs young consumers' preferences]. Rocz. Nauk. SERiA, XVI (6), 82-88.
Dörnyei, K. R., Gyulavári, T. (2016). Why do not you read the label? - an integrated framework of consumer label information search. Int. J. Consum. Stud., 40, 92-100.
Drichoutis, A., Lazaridis, P., Nayga, Jr, R. M. (2006). Consumers' use of nutritional labels: a review of research studies and issues. Acad. Mark. Sci. Rev., 10, 1-22.
Festila, A., Chrysochou, P., Krystallis, A. (2014). Consumer response to food labels in an emerging market: the case of Romania. Int. J. Consum. Stud., 38, 166-174.
García, R., Jukes, D. (2004). The Spanish system of food controls its administration and enforcement. Food Control 15(1), 51-59.
Grunert, K. G., Wills, J. M., Fernandez-Celemın, L. (2010). Nutrition knowledge, and use and understanding of nutrition information on food labels among consumers in the UK. Appetite 55, 177-189.
Hall, C., Osses, F. (2013). A review to inform understanding of the use of food safety messages on food labels. Int. J. Consum. Stud., 37, 422-432.
Hoogland, C. T., de Boer, J., Boersema, J. J. (2007). Food and Sustainability. Do consumers recognize, understand and value on-package information production standards? Appetite, 49, 47-57.
Janssen, M., Hamm, U. (2012). Product labelling in the market for organic food. Consumer preferences and willingness-to-pay for different organic certification logos. Food Qual. Prefer., 25, 9-22.
Komunikat Komisji do Rady, Parlamentu Europejskiego, Europejskiego Komitetu Ekonomiczno-Społecznego i Komitetu Regionów w sprawie polityki jakości produktów rolnych z 28.05.2009 r. KOM (2009) 234 wersja ostateczna [Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the policy of agricultural produce quality].
Kristensen, D. B., Askegaard, S., Jeppesen, L. H. (2013). 'If it makes you feel good it must be right': embodiment strategies for healthy eating and risk management. J. Consum. Behav., 12, 243-252.
Rośnie świadomość polskich konsumentów [Growing awereness of Polish consumers] (2015). Retrieved Sep 20th 2015 from: http://www.biznes.newseria.pl/news/ rosnie_swiadomosc,p1182762719.
Rozporządzenie Parlamentu Europejskiego i Rady (UE) Nr 1144/2014 z dnia 22 października 2014 r. w sprawie działań informacyjnych i promocyjnych dotyczących produktów rolnych wdrażanych na rynku wewnętrznym i w państwach trzecich oraz uchylające rozporządzenie Rady (WE) nr 3/2008. Dz. Urz. UE L 317 z 04.11.2014 [Regulation (EU) no 1144/2014 of the European parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2014 on information provision and promotion measures concerning agricultural products implemented in the internal market and in third countries and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 3/2008].
Rozporządzenie Parlamentu Europejskiego i Rady (UE) Nr 1151/2012 z dnia 21 listopada 2012 r. w sprawie systemów jakości produktów rolnych i środków spożywczych. Dz. Urz. UE L 343 z 14.12.2012 [Regulation (EU) no 1151/2012 of the European parliament and of the Council of 21 November 2012 on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs].
Rozporządzenie Rady (WE) Nr 509/2006 z dnia 20 marca 2006 r. w sprawie produktów rolnych i środków spożywczych będących gwarantowanymi tradycyjnymi specjalnościami. Dz. Urz. WE L 93 z 31.03.2006 [Commission regulation (EC) No 509/2006 of 20 March 2006 on agricultural products and foodstuffs as traditional specialities guaranteed].
Rozporządzenie Rady (WE) Nr 510/2006 z dnia 20 marca 2006 r. w sprawie ochrony oznaczeń geograficznych i nazw pochodzenia produktów rolnych i środków spo-żywczych. Dz. Urz. WE L 93 z 31.03.2006 [Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 of 20 March 2007 on protection of geographical indications and designation of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs].
Rozporządzenie Rady (WE) Nr 834/2007 z dnia 28 czerwca 2007 r. w sprawie produkcji ekologicznej i znakowania produktów ekologicznych i uchylające rozporządzenie (EWG) nr 2092/91. Dz. Urz. UE L 189 z 20.07.2007 [Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 of 28 June 2007 on organic production and labelling of organic products and repealing Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91].
Rozpoznawalność marki "Poznaj Dobrą Żywność" ['Get to Know Good Foodstuff' brand recognition], Raport TNS OBOP (2011). Retrieved Aug 20th 2015 from: http:// www.minrol.gov.pl/content/download/35399/197800/ver-sion/1/file/Raport_15.12.2011.pdf.
Sandberg, K. J. (2013). Consumer response to food labels in Denmark. A study investigating consumers' awareness, understanding and perception of food labels (16-29). Aarhus School of Business and Social Sciences, Aarhus University.
Scott, V., Worsley, A. F. (1994). Ticks, claims, tables and food groups. A comparison for nutrition labelling. Health Prom. Int., 9, 27-37.
Sirieix, L., Delanchy, M., Remaud, H., Zepeda, L., Gurviez, P. (2013). Consumers' perceptions of individual and combined sustainable food labels. A UK pilot investigation. Int. J. Consum. Stud., 37, 143-151.
Special Eurobarometer Report 410. Europeans, Agriculture and The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Report. European Commision (2014). Retrieved Aug 21st 2015 from: http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ ebs_410_en.pdf
van Trijp, H. C., van der Lans, I. A. (2007). Consumer perceptions of nutrition and health claims. Appetite 48, 305-324.
Wyszukiwarka DOOR [online]. Komisja Europejska (2015). Retrieved Aug 20th 2015 from: http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/quality/door/list.htm.
Zander, K. (2014). A Green Leaf? Consumers' Knowledge and Perception of the Mandatory EU Organic Logo. 8th Int. European Forum on System Dynamics and Innovation in Food Networks, Innsbruck-Igls., Austria, 2014, February 17-21 (p. 220-228).
Zielona księga w sprawie jakości produktów rolnych: normy jakości produktów, wymogi w zakresie produkcji rolnej, systemy jakości z 15.10.2008 r. KOM (2008) 641 wersja ostateczna [A green book concernig the quality of agricultural produce: product quality standards, agricultural produce requirements, quality systems from 15.10.2008].
Żakowska-Biemans, S. (2011a). Bariery zakupu żywności ekologicznej w kontekście rozwoju rynku żywności ekologicznej [Barriers to buy organic food in the context of organic food market development]. J. Res. Applic. Agric. Eng., (4), 216-220.
Żakowska-Biemans, S. (2011b). Czynniki warunkujące popyt na żywność ekologiczną w kontekście przeobrażeń rynku żywności ekologicznej w Polsce i innych krajach Europy [Factors determining demand for organic food in the context of transforming organic food market in Poland and other European countries]. Raport z badań, SGGW, Warszawa listopad 2011. Retrieved Aug 22nd 2015 from: http://koek.sggw.pl/Rraport_MINROL.pdf.
Cichocka, I., & Oleniuch, I. (2017). The Awareness of the EU Food Labelling System Among University Students. Journal of Agribusiness and Rural Development, 43(1), 45-55. https://doi.org/10.17306/J.JARD.2017.00203
Izabela Cichocka
Wyższa Szkoła Informatyki i Zarządzania w Rzeszowie Poland
Wyższa Szkoła Informatyki i Zarządzania w Rzeszowie Poland
Iwona Oleniuch
Politechnika Rzeszowska Poland
Politechnika Rzeszowska Poland
This journal permits and encourages authors to post items submitted to the journal on personal websites or institutional repositories both prior to and after publication, while providing bibliographic details that credit, if applicable, its publication in this journal.
Most read articles by the same author(s)
- Izabela Cichocka, Jan Krupa, Anastasiya Shypot, Organic Food in the Commercial Offer and Consumer Preferences While Purchasing it , Journal of Agribusiness and Rural Development: Vol 41 No 3 (2016)
