Ethical Labelling of Food

Consumers are showing concern for ethics in food production, and their interest is focused on respect for sustainable development, the environment, animal welfare and human rights. The Nordic Countries are aiming to ensure that, via labelling and general consumer information, consumers will be able to choose foodstuffs on the basis of ethical considerations.The report describes existing experience of ethical labelling of foodstuffs. The description is based on recent Nordic and European literature on ethical consumption and the ethically aware consumers’ motives and reaction patterns, as well as on a review of existing ethical food labelling. For 10 to 15 years we have had ethics-related labels on foodstuffs, mainly the organic label, the Fairtrade label and the labelling of eggs according to production method. The labels have had an impact on the market - although with small market shares, nevertheless with a relatively high level of recognition among consumers.The report analyses the need for further development of existing labelling and for the introduction of new ethical labels and information schemes. It looks at possible labelling models and various ways of regulating labelling. It discusses whether the labelling of products is preferable to other methods of information, and whether the initiative is best taken by authorities, industry or organisations.It also presents a number of concrete proposals for joint Nordic initiatives aiming at promoting consumer information about ethical conditions in food production.