Products with nutrition and health claims in the Western Balkans: labelling behaviour, regulation and policy implications

Žaklina Stojanović (), Radmila Dragutinović-Mitrović () and Martine Zaouche-Laniau ()
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Žaklina Stojanović: University of Belgrade
Radmila Dragutinović-Mitrović: University of Belgrade
Martine Zaouche-Laniau: GEM Etudes et stratégies pour le secteur agroalimentaire

European Journal of Law and Economics, 2017, vol. 43, issue 1, No 5, 107-123

Abstract: Abstract This paper analyses food industry labelling behaviour in regulated and unregulated markets of products with nutrition and health claims (N&H claims) in the Western Balkans. The aim is to find out whether the intervention of the lawmakers in the form of labelling regulation improves transparency of labelling behaviour and facilitates a more informed consumer choice. The analysis is based on a shop survey of 475 products with N&H claims, conducted in six Western Balkan countries (WBC). Statistical inference is derived from the results of the Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis non-parametric tests as well as the Dunn post-test for all pairwise comparisons as a form of simultaneous nonparametric inference. Differences among the countries constituting the region are significant. In comparison with regulated markets in the region, unregulated WBC markets are characterized by a higher level of “spurious” statements dominated by regional/domestic producers not obliged to use scientifically-approved claims in their corporate practices. In these conditions, differences in labelling behaviour are expected as well, which is only partly confirmed by our testing results.

Keywords: Food industry; Nutrition and health claims; Regulation; Food labelling; Non-parametric tests (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C14 K32 Q13 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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DOI: 10.1007/s10657-013-9386-z

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