Unni Kjærnes

Trust in food safety in Russia, Denmark and Norway

In this paper we argue that institutional conditions should be taken into consideration when consumers trust in food safety is analysed. Our survey results demonstrate that levels of trust in food safety varies considerably across our three selected countries: Russian consumers expressing the lowest level of trust, Norwegian consumers the highest and Danish consumers expressing levels of trust in food safety which were in between. We find empirical evidence in all countries that consumers trust in food safety is related to their evaluation of how their national food control authorities perform, as well as to what extend they trust market mechanisms to secure food quality. However, while trust in food safety in the Scandinavian countries is more likely to rest on trust in public food control, trust in food safety more often depend on trust in market mechanisms in the St. Petersburg region.

Experiences with the Norwegian nutrition policy

Norwegian nutrition policy has received considerable attention. The distinguishing feature is its ‘structural’ orientation, i.e. towards production and market regulation, as opposed to individual, information-based strategies. This was possible first of all because of distinctive Norwegian political traditions, with a heavily regulated agricultural sector, combined with a welfare policy tradition emphasising influence on other sectors. While the institutionalisation of the Norwegian nutrition policy has been important for its political legitimacy and visibility, the paper discusses how this has also represented a challenge when problems and policy goals are to be altered.

Food and nutrition policies of Nordic countries: how have they been developed and what evidence substantiates the development of these policies?

The present paper addresses the emergence and development of Nordic food and nutrition policies, with some reference to the types of nutrition policies characteristic of other North European countries. Nutrition programmes aimed at dietary change have a long history of public responsibility in several Nordic and North European countries. The extent of involvement, the orientation and (indication of) success have, however, varied considerably between countries. First, different types of policies are characterised by their choice of programmes and measures, e.g. information campaigns v. market regulation or catering and public services. Second, the distinctions are associated not only with programmes, but also with the status and validity of nutritional advice and dietary guidelines in public policy making. Third, when focusing on how and on what grounds the governments have developed nutrition policies, it is evident that while more or less the same participants and issues are involved, their roles and relationships may be different. In this case the role and involvement of nutritional expertise and scientific arguments in various countries will be discussed. Finally, nutrition policies may entail conflicts of interest, particularly when health concerns are confronted with food industry and agricultural interests. This situation is quite evident in the question of animal fat. The present paper addresses how these issues have been dealt with quite differently in various countries.

Food security and food insecurity in Europe: An analysis of the academic discourse (1975–2013)

In this paper we address the academic discourse on food insecurity and food security in Europe as expressed in articles published in scientific journals in the period 1975 to 2013. The analysis indicates that little knowledge has been produced on this subject, and that the limited research that has been produced tends to focus on the production of food rather than on peoples access to food. The lack of knowledge about European food insecurity is particularly alarming in these times, which are characterised by increasing social inequalities and poverty, as well as shifting policy regimes. More empirical, comparative and longitudinal research is needed to survey the extent of food security problems across European countries over time. There is also a need to identify groups at risk of food insecurity as well as legal, economic, practical, social, and psychological constraints hindering access to appropriate and sufficient food.

Changes in potato consumption in different stages of life in Norway

The aim of this study is to contribute to a better understanding of factors promoting the decline in potato consumption in Norway from the mid-1970s to mid-l990s, as well as with what foods the potatoes have been replaced. The article is based on three surveys, all of them carried out on nation-wide representative samples of the Norwegian population: records of household consumption from 1976 to 1995, N=1000-1500 each year; questionnaire surveys of food frequency from 1986 to 1996, N=3000 every other year; and telephone interviews of yesterdays eating events in 1997, N=1177. The results indicated that it was particularly the young people who lived alone who had dropped eating boiled potatoes. The use frequency increased when there was a partner and it increased even more when there where children in the household. Furthermore, higher socio-economic groups were particularly prone to drop using boiled potatoes, and they had a distinctly different use pattern of alternative staple foods than the others. The data indicated that the potato is more commonly used together with certain foods (fish, carrots and broccoli) than others. Therefore, omitting the potato from the meal may signify other dietary changes than the exchange of staple foods.

Welfare Quality® principles and criteria

This chapter outlines the science behind the development of the Welfare Quality® assessment systems. We concentrate on the animal welfare science and social science discussions upon which the welfare principles and criteria developed in the project are based, rather than on the actual assessment measures and their integration which are detailed in Chapters 6 and 7, although examples of measures are given to illustrate some of the issues that arose during the above process (Forkman, 2009; Keeling, 2009).

Designing the Good Life: Nutrition and Social Democracy in Norway

The knowledge of experts is commonly used to help citizens approach a scientifically determined good life. Such help can be paternalistic and take several forms. The broadest and most complicated relation between the daily life of the citizen and expert activity takes place in consumption activities. Consumer rights, which closely resemble those of the general citizen, are defined (Kennedy, 1962) as rights to protection, information, choice and channels for feedback. Foodstuffs are especially important in the everyday lives of consumers. Nutrition policy, therefore, has a strong potential impact on daily life, habits and private values. At the same time, food as a commodity is important to industry and other production interests.

Consumer Trust in Food Under Varying Social and Institutional Conditions

Consumer trust in food has been on the agenda in Europe over the last 10–15 years, brought forth by major events linked to food safety and quality as well as by structural and political changes in the food system. Research has shown that consumer responses cannot be reduced to a matter of unbalanced media presentations (‘scares’) or personal uncertainty in view of technological innovations (like GM food). Such aspects are certainly important, but the key factor triggering responses of distrust seems to be how market and public actors handle such issues. Lack of accountability and transparency and disregard of consumer expectations and interests form important explanations to negative reactions among buyers and eaters of food. Media presentations are important in communicating such problems, which of course also may be exaggerated. But lack of openness and responsiveness seems to be more of a problem than media amplification.

The study of Nordic meals : lessons learnt

Abstract This chapter presents a discussion on how eating as an everyday activity is structured in modern societies. Representative telephone surveys conducted in 1997 explored one day of eating in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. Eating habits are quite different in the various countries, shaped by national meal conventions and practical coordination, but were at that time relatively structured in terms of what is eaten, when, where and with whom. Most people combine relatively structured, social meals, mainly at home, with less structured events alone. These patterns are first of all influenced by family structure and employment, less by socio-economic distinctions. In the final section, the theoretical and methodological impacts of the approach are discussed.

Eating out in four Nordic countries: National patterns and social stratification

Using a survey conducted in four Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden) in 2012, we investigated whether eating out in cafés and restaurants in these countries is best characterized as a workday pattern activity or a leisure activity; and, whether frequent eating at cafés and restaurants is related to socio-demographic factors and factors relevant to the organization of daily life. We found that eating out is not a fundamental part of everyday eating. It is something which takes place occasionally. This may be taken to suggest that eating out in the Nordic countries is primarily a leisure activity. However, while this is an accurate portrayal of Denmark and Norway, eating out in Finland and Sweden is somewhat more common and linked to work-life. This difference probably reflects contrasting historical-institutional paths: in Finland and Sweden a food culture emphasizing cooked lunches and dedicated public policies supporting the provisioning of lunches outside the home may have promoted eating out. Multivariate analysis revealed that eating out declines with age. An urbanization effect exists, as residence in a capital city increases the propensity to eat out. There were socio-economic differences in all countries. We hypothesized that education and status would not significantly explain eating out activity after peoples gastronomic interest had been controlled for. However, education was statistically significant in Sweden and Norway, and surprisingly status was negatively associated with eating out in Sweden. As expected, eating out was positively associated with income, and it was more frequent among the higher salariat and the self-employed (although not in Norway).