In times when climate protection is becoming increasingly important, consumers are increasingly looking for products that not only taste good, but are also good for our planet. But how reliable are the climate protection promises on food packaging actually?
The deceptive world of climate labels on food
A current market check by consumer advice centers shows worrying trends. Statements such as “climate neutral” or “CO2 positive” have been found on many products, the meaning of which is often vague and misleading. These climate seals, which are often based on compensation payments as part of compensation projects, only rarely provide a real insight into the actual climate friendliness of a product.
Lack of clarity and comprehensibility
Another problem is the lack of explanation of the statements. Many products leave consumers unclear about what exactly the advertising promises refer to - whether to the packaging, the production or the product as a whole. Even when additional information is offered, it is often only accessible through online sources, which does not benefit all consumers.
Lack of legal framework
The current situation clearly shows that a legal framework for climate and environmental statements in the food industry is necessary. Although the European Commission is currently preparing two directives that could close this gap, it could still be years before these come into force.
Companies have an obligation
It is the responsibility of companies to communicate their climate protection efforts in a transparent and comprehensible manner. The consumer advice centers warn that misleading advertising with climate claims could undermine efforts to protect the climate.
Conclusion
The study shows how important it is to keep a close eye on climate protection promises. It is time for companies and legislators to introduce more transparent and reliable standards for climate promises. As consumers, we should always educate ourselves and ask questions to be sure our choices are helping the environment.
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Source: consumer advice center
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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )