Are food labels contributing to food safety and quality at and beyond point of sale?

By

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.

DECLARATION

I [type your full first names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

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ABSTRACT

In this study we try to explore the concept of “Food labelling” in a holistic context. The main focus of the research is on “Food labelling” and its relation with “consumers”. The research also analyzes many aspects of “Food labelling” and tries to gauge its effect on “consumers”. Finally the research describes various factors which are responsible for “Food labelling” and tries to describe the overall effect of “Food labelling” on “consumers”.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTII

DECLARATIONIII

ABSTRACTIV

SECTION: 11

INTRODUCTION1

Overview and Definition1

Food quality and Food Safety2

Food labelling and nutrition4

Source of food security and food4

Problem Statement8

Significance of the study8

SECTION: 210

LITERATURE REVIEW10

Food scares11

What consumers screen for on food labels?12

Food safety13

Country of origin13

Traceability14

Quality15

Expiry, use by and best before dates16

Ethical labelling17

Genetically modified labelling (GM)18

Logos18

Food safety act 199020

European Regulation21

Health marking and identification25

Imports from Non-EU Member Countries25

Food chain information26

Food Poisoning26

What guidance is available on the new food hygiene laws?26

Outbreaks in the UK27

Is the food legislation protecting public health?28

Define the meaning of public health28

Assess and Monitor Health29

Main food legislation in the UK30

European Regulation33

Health marking and identification36

Imports from Non-EU Member Countries37

Food chain information37

Food Poisoning38

Private Labels39

Food processing41

Food retail42

Summary of the findings of the literature review46

SECTION: 355

METHODOLOGY55

Research Design55

Literature Search55

Definition of Qualitative Research56

Research Method56

Literature Selection Criteria57

Search Technique57

Theoretical Framework57

Difference58

SECTION 460

ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION60

Private label performance60

SECTION 568

CONCLUSIONS68

Economic impact74

International competitiveness and trade74

Competition in the internal market74

Consumers75

Specific regions or sectors76

Third countries and international relations76

REFERENCES77

APPENDIX105

Food labelling survey105

SECTION: 1

INTRODUCTION

Keywords: food labelling, food assurance, food safety, consumer trust

Overview

This report is about food labelling, consumer understanding and usage, as well as the role of food labelling as an indicator of safety, quality and assurance thus forming a vital link with consumer trust. These are the critical pillars of the study in an attempt to gain a broader understanding of food labelling and its relationship with consumers (Becker, 2000, 91).

Information and consumer's education constitute important devices in ensuring consumer the suitable protection. Consumers ought to have a possibility to make a conscious choice of goods and services with respect to their individual requests and needs. A wide range of products of different origin, level of processing, or different properties requires from the scientists, health care specialists, representatives of consumer's organizations, legislators and food producers searching for the most effective form of consumer's education, shaping the most rational and right attitude and behaviour towards the very choice of products. In this context, more and more often the role of food labelling is emphasized as a reliable and effective device in education. With reference to the above, the aim of this work was to estimate the influence ...