PhD defence María Belén Beltramo Gómez

Keywords: Food Claims, Consumer protection, Health promotion, Fresh produce

"Food Labelling Policies For Fresh Produce Promotion: Integrating Scientific Evidence, Regulation, And Consumer Preferences"

Food labels help consumers by providing information on nutritional value, origin, and other claims about the product. In her research, Belén Beltramo investigates how voluntary labelling of fresh produce works in the EU.

Her findings show that we need better food data, as the composition of products varies across countries. Also, the bioavailability of vitamins, an important aspect of nutrition, is often overlooked. Consumers with more knowledge of nutrition tend to understand labels better, but preferences for claims differ between groups.

Belén’s research highlights the need for more nutrition education and labels that are better tailored to both the product and the target audience. Additional initiatives, such as workshops or bonuses, could also help in making healthier and more sustainable choices.

Finally, policy should be better aligned with consumers' needs and support them in making sustainable choices.              

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