Shaping greener eating habits: A review of what works and what doesn’t

A recent study, featuring insights from Centre researchers Malin Jonell and Therese Lindahl, highlights that while several policy interventions have shown promise in improving the food landscape, altering what people eat remains a formidable challenge compared to reducing food waste.

The study examined nearly 30 international review articles published over the past six years, focusing on the efficacy of different regulatory measures aimed at curbing food waste and promoting environmentally friendly dietary choices. These choices include increasing the consumption of plant-based foods and sustainably produced products.

Key patterns emerged

The results show that measures aimed at food waste often tend to yield clearer results than those aimed at changing dietary habits, such as reduced meat consumption. The researchers suggest that this may be because the issue of food waste encounters fewer cultural and motivational barriers.

Among the various measures analysed, several key patterns emerged:

• Information campaigns have been the most extensively studied. While they can raise awareness about food waste and sustainable eating, they rarely lead to lasting changes in behaviour.
• Structural measures, such as expanding vegetarian options, eliminating trays in cafeterias, or reducing portion sizes, appear to have a more significant impact on consumer choices.
• Simple reminders, like strategically placed signs in serving areas, have shown potential in reducing food waste and somewhat influencing food choices.
• Helping people set goals and providing feedback on behavioural changes can be effective, although results are less certain when based on self-reported behaviour.
• Economic incentives, including price changes or taxes, along with educational initiatives, remain underexplored but are considered promising avenues for change when implemented thoughtfully.

Importance of a coordinated approach

The researchers emphasise that the most effective strategies focus on enhancing knowledge, creating opportunities, and motivating individuals to embrace new dietary behaviours. They also stress the importance of a coordinated approach among policymakers, urging them to consider the broader picture and align efforts across the fields of environment, health, agriculture, and education.

“Policymakers and private sector actors need strong evidence to act with confidence, but right now much of the research is too short-term and context-specific. We need studies that follow people over time and across different settings to see which strategies really deliver lasting change,” comments Malin Jonell.