Regulating functional foods in the European Union: informed choice versus consumer protection? (Special issue: Ethics as a dimension of agrifood policy: selected papers from the 4th Congress of the European Society for Agricultural and Food Ethics)
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| Category | Journal Articles |
|---|---|
| Abstract |
This paper reviews the experiences of the Netherlands and the UK with their attempts at self-regulation in order to judge the merits and weaknesses of the newly proposed European regulation for functional foods. It is indicated that a new EU regulation covering health claims and other claims on food and drink products is on the docks. A basic motive of legal regulation of labelling and advertising is to inform and protect the consumer. Promotion of informed choice and consumer protection may, however, be conflicting objectives. A further problem springs from the fact that choice, like consent, is a propositional attitude. Thus it is argued that it is difficult for regulators to fasten on particular formulations of claims. Despite the professed respect for the autonomy of the consumer, paternalism is still a challenge. |
| Date | 2003 |
| Publication Title | Journal of Agricultural & Environmental Ethics |
| Volume | 16 |
| Issue | 6 |
| Pages | 545-556 |
| ISBN/ISSN | 1187-7863 |
| DOI | 10.1023/B:JAGE.0000004965.23608.62 |
| Language | English |
| Author Address | Wageningen University, Postbus 9101 6700 HB Wageningen, Netherlands. Tatiana.Klompenhouwer@wur.nl Henk.vandenBelt@wur.nl |
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