Consumer requirements for food product transparency
- 15.10.2019
- English Articles
- Sina Nitzko
Peer-reviewed / Manuscript (original contribution) received: January 15, 2019 Revision accepted: May 7, 2019
Introduction
The concept of transparency is used in a range of academic disciplines and it has also gained importance in various aspects of social life [1]. Depending on the academic field, the definition of the term takes on different nuances [2]. In general terms, transparency stands for clarity and plausibility [3]. Transparency includes communicative aspects [2] and according to Mol [4] (p. 51), is to be understood as the “disclosure of information”. In general, transparency is associated with the acquisition and processing of information, which is linked to a change in the state of knowledge of a recipient [5].
In the agriculture and food industries too, transparency is becoming increasingly important. Systematizations of transparency in the field of (agricultural) economics involve the whole value chain. Mol [4] who, as stated above, defines transparency as the “disclosure of information” (p. 51), distinguishes various model forms of transparency in value chains. This paper focuses on consumer transparency, i. e. the disclosure of information by economic players in the value chain, regulatory authorities and certification offices for consumers. Other postulated forms of transparency are management transparency (= disclosure of information by players at the beginning of the value chain for the levels further on), regulatory transparency (= disclosure of information by economic players in the value chain for regulatory authorities and inspection authorities) and public transparency (= disclosure of information by economic players in the value chain, regulatory authorities and certification bodies for the public and media) [4].
Abstract
In view of the increasing significance of transparency in the farming and food industries, an online questionnaire was used to record the food product transparency requirements of consumers (n = 1,009) in an open query. The results showed a broad spectrum of transparency requirements among consumers. Information on the origin and composition of food products were most important, followed by details on production and processing methods and sustainability aspects. The results give insights for creating a level of food transparency which is acceptable to consumers.
Keywords: Transparency, consumers, food products
