related briefing rooms - offer an indepth discussion synthesizing ERS research Consumer Food Safety Behavior Economics of Foodborne Disease Information Policy Traceability in the U.S. Food Supply feature Economics of Food Labeling — Economic theory suggests that mandatory food-labeling requirements are best suited to alleviating problems of asymmetric information and are rarely effective in redressing environmental or other spillovers associated with food production and consumption. Theory also suggests that the appropriate role for government in labeling depends on the type of information involved and the level and distribution of the costs and benefits of providing that information. This report traces the economic theory behind food labeling and presents three case studies in which the government has intervened in labeling and two examples in which government intervention has been proposed. web administration: webadmin@ers.usda.govupdated: February 1, 2001
web administration: webadmin@ers.usda.govupdated: February 1, 2001
latest publications (all) • Amber Waves, April 2004 • Food Traceability: One Ingredient in a Safe and Efficient Food Supply • Traceability in the U.S. Food Supply: Economic Theory and Industry Studies
resources • Contact an ERS Expert • Calendar of Releases
services • Receive E-mail Updates • E-mail This Page • Translate This Page
