New Study Shows We Misjudge the Carbon Footprint of Everyday Foods
A new study reveals that many people misunderstand the environmental impact of their food. Researchers from the University of Nottingham found that participants often guessed wrong. As a result, scientists are calling for clear environmental impact labels.Food plays a major role in climate challenges. However, many shoppers still struggle to judge which items harm the environment the most.
Why Food Impact Awareness Matters
Food production influences greenhouse gas emissions, land use, and water use. Understanding these impacts can help people make informed choices. In addition, it supports efforts to shift diets toward more sustainable options.Scientists measure environmental impact through life cycle assessments. These assessments look at every stage of a product’s journey, from raw materials to disposal. They track both resources used and waste released.Previous studies focused on narrow food categories. This new research, however, explores a wider range of everyday grocery items.
What Participants Got Wrong
The study included 168 participants across the UK. Each person sorted common supermarket foods into categories they created themselves. Researchers then showed them scientific impact scores.Participants relied on two main ideas: whether a food was animal- or plant-based and how processed it seemed. They believed meat and highly processed items were always worse. However, this led to mistakes.For example, people often overestimated the impact of processed foods. They also underestimated the impact of water-intensive foods like nuts. Many were surprised by how much higher the impact of beef was compared with chicken.
Impact Labels Could Help
Lead author Daniel Fletcher explained that the interactive task motivated participants to rethink their choices. Many said they would change future shopping habits based on what they learned.
The study suggests that simple labels, such as A–E grades, could help people compare foods more easily. Co-author Professor Alexa Spence adds that clear labeling would support more sustainable decisions and reduce confusion.
