European Consumers’ Attitudes Toward Sustainable Food Consumption – Systematic Literature Review

The increasing ecological, health, and social awareness has led European consumers to consider more sustainable food choices. However, their behaviours in this regard remain inconsistent. The aim of this paper is to systematically review the literature on European consumers’ attitudes toward sustainable food consumption, with a particular focus on factors that either promote or hinder sustainable behaviours. The PRISMA methodology was applied, allowing for a systematic search, selection, and analysis of literature in terms of quality and content. The review is based on 43 publications that meet specific thematic and methodological criteria. The data were obtained from the Scopus database and include articles published between 2008 and 2024, with the greatest interest in the topic observed in recent years. The findings indicate that key factors promoting sustainable consumption include health consciousness, environmental concern, and a preference for local products. In contrast, significant barriers remain, such as high costs, limited availability, and attachment to traditional culinary habits. Disruptive events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical conflicts have influenced consumer attitudes and increased interest in locally sourced products. The results suggest that targeted educational policies and efforts to build trust in institutions are essential for effectively promoting sustainable consumption. Furthermore, strategies encouraging responsible consumption patterns should consider cultural and demographic differences to better bridge the gap between environmental awareness and actual consumer choices.