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What cognitive sciences have to say about the impacts of nutritional labelling formats

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  • Muller, L.
  • Prevost, M.

Abstract

Social sciences have been exploring how different labelling systems affect people’s food choices, whereas cognitive psychology has largely ignored that question. We propose a normalization of the criteria that discriminate labels between them, which we use as a framework to review the cognitive processes involved when using these labelling systems. We insist on the heated debate between Traffic Light and Guideline Daily Amount labels, but did also address other labelling schemes like the Keyhole system. We conclude on which labels are cognitively the less effortful and the quickest to process.

Suggested Citation

  • Muller, L. & Prevost, M., 2016. "What cognitive sciences have to say about the impacts of nutritional labelling formats," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 17-29.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:joepsy:v:55:y:2016:i:c:p:17-29
    DOI: 10.1016/j.joep.2016.01.005
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Edouard Civel & Nathaly Cruz-Garcia, 2018. "Green, yellow or red lemons? Framed field experiment on houses energy labels perception," EconomiX Working Papers 2018-35, University of Paris Nanterre, EconomiX.
    2. Laurent Muller & Anne Lacroix & Bernard Ruffieux, 2019. "Environmental Labelling and Consumption Changes: A Food Choice Experiment," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 73(3), pages 871-897, July.
    3. Edouard Civel & Nathaly Cruz-Garcia, 2018. "Green, yellow or red lemons? Framed field experiment on houses energy labels perception," Working Papers hal-04141696, HAL.
    4. Edouard Civel & Nathaly Cruz, 2018. "Green, yellow or red lemons? Artefactual field experiment on houses energy labels perception," Working Papers 1809, Chaire Economie du climat.
    5. Sofia B. Villas‐Boas & Kristin Kiesel & Joshua P. Berning & Hayley H. Chouinard & Jill J. McCluskey, 2020. "Consumer and Strategic Firm Response to Nutrition Shelf Labels," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 102(2), pages 458-479, March.
    6. Paolo Crosetto & Anne Lacroix & Laurent Muller & Bernard Ruffieux, 2018. "Nutritional and economic impact of 5 alternative front-of-pack nutritional labels: experimental evidence," Working Papers hal-01805431, HAL.
    7. Lelia Voinea & Dorin Vicențiu Popescu & Mihaela Bucur & Teodor Mihai Negrea & Răzvan Dina & Calcedonia Enache, 2020. "Reshaping the Traditional Pattern of Food Consumption in Romania through the Integration of Sustainable Diet Principles. A Qualitative Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-25, July.
    8. Gorton, Matthew & Tocco, Barbara & Yeh, Ching-Hua & Hartmann, Monika, 2018. "What determines consumers’ trust in the EU’s organic label? A cross country comparison of the role of institutional trust and consumer knowledge," 2018 Annual Meeting, August 5-7, Washington, D.C. 273857, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    9. Azzurra Annunziata & Angela Mariani, 2016. "The role of nutritional labeling in promoting healthier food choices: a review of the major issues in the EU," RIVISTA DI STUDI SULLA SOSTENIBILITA', FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2016(2), pages 107-119.
    10. J. M. Bauer & L. A. Reisch, 2019. "Behavioural Insights and (Un)healthy Dietary Choices: a Review of Current Evidence," Journal of Consumer Policy, Springer, vol. 42(1), pages 3-45, March.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Food labelling; Food choice; Behavioural economics; Cognitive science; Traffic lights; Guideline daily amount;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • D03 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Behavioral Microeconomics: Underlying Principles
    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • D87 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Neuroeconomics

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