Communicative and globalizing impacts of food labels: an Australian study

Elaine Xu, Terence Lee

Research output: Journal PublicationArticlepeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This article analyzes the impacts of the Australian Federal Government’s food labeling reforms on the formation of food practices and the market for local food products. It considers how the inclusion of product and ingredient origin information blurs the distinction between ‘domestic’ and ‘foreign’ food products, and foregrounds different ‘support local’ behaviors. Findings from the study highlight the influence of structural and cultural factors, complemented by the strategic use of media tools, in shaping how food labels function as mechanisms to mediate domestic and transnational food practices. Retail concentration, support for the ‘buy local’ discourse, and the mediating influence of supermarket food media are presented as key factors that underpin the diffusion of and the demand for branded products and local food products in Australia. The impacts of the food origin labeling regulations on Australia’s highly concentrated grocery retail sector and export markets for Australian food products are also discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)93-108
Number of pages16
JournalMedia International Australia
Volume175
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 May 2020
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • branded products
  • country of origin
  • cultural consumers
  • food labels
  • global communications
  • supermarket food media

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cultural Studies
  • Communication

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