The question has arisen of whether society is being protected from food that is making it sick, particularly whether if people are protected by the politics. How are the people – the consumers – seen in general from a company’s and from the politicians’ point of view? This is a general question asked based on the topic of food, sugar and a correlation between diseases and the prosperity of states. The question how the consumer is seen affects many other topics aside from food choices and possibilities of diseases. It is related to democracy, marketing and money. Does a responsible, accountable consumer exist? Who is taking his own decisions and who is influenced without noticing it, possibly with dire consequences? Which role do companies, politicians and science play?
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
1.1 Problem statement
1.2 Target setting
2 Big Food and Big Pharma and their connection to politics
3 Understanding of a „responsible consumer”
3.1. Contradictions and interpretation problems
3.1.1. Paradoxon
3.1.2. The homogeneous consumer
3.1.3. Behavioral biases
3.1.4. Information model
3.2. The responsible consumer as a vehicle of lobbyism
4 Results
5 Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper examines the validity of the "responsible consumer" model in the context of the food industry, focusing on the tension between consumer autonomy and corporate/political influence. It investigates whether the concept of a responsible consumer is a realistic individual attribute or a normative tool instrumentalized by industry stakeholders.
- The influence of "Big Food" and "Big Pharma" on political decision-making and public health.
- Economic and social consequences of the obesity and diabetes epidemic.
- Limitations of the "responsible consumer" model, including behavioral biases and lack of transparency.
- The instrumentalization of consumer interests by lobbyists and corporations.
- The responsibility of politics in protecting society against systemic food-related health issues.
Excerpt from the Book
1 Introduction
Recently, I have heard about strawberry flavor made of sawdust. I have several interests connected to food. As sustainability, food production and transparency came into focus, and I started to wonder how this is possible? This kind of fraud on taste seems to be normal in the 21st century. Do corruption and lies related to food products have become normal in the 21st century? How influential are big companies on politics and global decision-making bodies?
Referring to the WHO, our nutrition system plays a significant role in the increase of non-communicable diseases (NCD). In 2011, it was said that in the European part of the WHO, 60 million people are suffering from diabetes, which means “[…] around 10.3 % of the male population and 9.6 % of the female population aged above 25 years. The prevalence is increasing which is mainly due to the spread of lifestyle-related risk factors”.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: This chapter introduces the research topic, highlighting concerns about food transparency, the influence of large corporations on policy, and the global prevalence of lifestyle-related non-communicable diseases.
2 Big Food and Big Pharma and their connection to politics: This section explores how industrial food systems and pharmaceutical interests interact, providing historical and contemporary examples of the sugar industry's influence on political agendas.
3 Understanding of a „responsible consumer”: This chapter analyzes the theoretical definition of the responsible consumer, addressing contradictions such as information overload, behavioral biases, and the role of lobbyism in shaping consumer perceptions.
4 Results: This chapter synthesizes the findings, arguing that the responsible consumer is a normative model rather than a reality, and that general consumer interests are often instrumentalized by powerful corporate entities.
5 Conclusion: The paper concludes by emphasizing the need for critical awareness regarding consumption behavior and advocating for stronger political protection to prevent the exploitation of socially vulnerable households.
Keywords
Responsible consumer, Big Food, Big Pharma, non-communicable diseases, sugar industry, lobbyism, consumer protection, behavioral biases, nutrition policy, food transparency, ultra-processed food, public health, economic growth, consumer autonomy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper investigates the concept of the "responsible consumer" and questions its validity, examining how it is used or potentially exploited within the context of food industry influence and public health.
Which key areas are covered in the discussion?
The study covers the intersection of food production, pharmaceutical industry interests, political lobbyism, and the socioeconomic burdens caused by diet-related diseases like diabetes.
What is the primary research question?
The primary research question asks whether a responsible consumer truly exists and to what extent consumers are capable of making independent, informed decisions amidst corporate and political influence.
What scientific methodology is utilized?
The paper utilizes a qualitative analysis approach, synthesizing reports from international health organizations (WHO, OECD), economic research, and existing studies on consumer behavior and regulatory theory.
What subjects are addressed in the main body?
The main body treats the systemic influence of the sugar industry, the "as-if-situation" of modern consumerism, and the critical assessment of informational and behavioral models regarding consumer choices.
Which keywords best characterize the work?
The work is best characterized by terms such as responsible consumption, lobbying, public health, systemic influence, and consumer protection.
How do "Big Food" and "Big Pharma" influence consumer choice?
The author argues that these industries use complex product systems, marketing budgets, and the exploitation of behavioral biases to steer consumer choices, often prioritizing profitability over public nutritional health.
What conclusion does the author reach regarding the "responsible consumer"?
The author concludes that the "responsible consumer" is largely a normative model, often used as a tool by companies to avoid regulation, while the typical consumer is actually reliant on external information sources and vulnerable to marketing.
- Quote paper
- Isabelle Jaeschke (Author), 2021, Does a responsible consumer exist?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1032949
