Qualitative analysis of front-of package labeling policy interactions between stakeholders and Health Canada

Dados Bibliográficos

ID22073161
AutoresAalaa Jawad (London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, autor correspondente), Christine Mulligan (0000-0002-5052-932X, University of Toronto), Natalie Savona (0000-0002-3006-3681, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine), Mary R L’Abbé (0000-0001-7688-7558, University of Toronto), Mary R L'Abbé
Ano2023
Volume11
Páginas982908-982908
Data de publicação2023-04-06
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
EditoraFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2023.982908
PMID37089483
OpenAlexW4362672931
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas4
Referências citadas44

Background: Front-of-package labelling regulations proposed by Health Canada in their Healthy Eating Strategy (2016) were finally passed in 2022, but remain unimplemented. This study analyzed interactions that occurred between stakeholders and government related to this policy proposal to identify key themes and policy implications. Methods: A qualitative framework analysis was conducted on publicly available documents for stakeholder correspondences related to front-of-package that occurred between 2016 and 2019 in Health Canada's Meetings and Correspondence on Healthy Eating database. Five sequential steps were applied: familiarization, identifying a thematic framework, indexing, charting, and mapping and interpretation. A complex systems (i.e., a dynamic system with multiple interconnecting components) lens was incorporated in the final step to deepen the analysis. Results: = 108, 62.4%). Three overarching themes were identified: industry trying to control the agenda and resist regulation; questioning the evidence supporting the policy and its impact on the agri-food industry; and dismissing the need and effectiveness of the policy. Incorporating a complex system lens found industry and non-industry stakeholders held markedly different perspectives on how cohesive the system defined by the front-of-package labelling policy was, and the policy impact on its stability. Economic and opportunity costs were the main trade-offs, and symbol misinterpretation considered an unintended consequence by industry. Finally, some stakeholders argued for wider policy scope incorporating more products, while others requested a narrower approach through exemptions. Conclusion: Interactions with industry stakeholders on health food policy proposals require careful consideration, given it may suit their interests to generate delays and policy discordance. Explicitly setting out the principles of engagement and actively encouraging non-industry stakeholder representation provides a more balanced approach to policy consultation and development

Business · Policy analysis · Political science · Process management · Public relations · Qualitative research · Sociology · Stakeholder · Thematic analysis · Unintended consequences · Computer Science · Consumer Attitudes and Food Labeling · Global Public Health Policies and Epidemiology · Organic Food and Agriculture · Public Administration