Consumer Perceptions of Health Claims in Advertisements and on Food Labels

It has been hypothesized that consumers are more skeptical of health claims made in food ads than of health claims made on food labels. Therefore, the current research explores consumers' skepticism of health claims when the source of such claims is identified as a food ad or a food label. The study also examines whether consumers' beliefs are affected by nutrition information on food labels and whether health claims that have been challenged by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and by consumer groups are more likely to affect consumers' beliefs than are unchallenged health claims. The findings have implications for understanding the role of education in reducing consumer misperceptions of health claims.     

Credit: the consumer perspective

The U.K. has seen a considerable expansion in the use of credit during the 1980s. Although the majority of consumers are able to manage their use of credit there are many whose borrowing leads to hardship. There are various ways in which the availability of credit can be controlled but there is a high degree of reluctance to do so, both on the part of government and the credit card companies. A mechanism for assessing credit worthiness and a properly resourced system for assisting those who experience difficulties through using credit is needed. The social and economic consequences for consumers of the overuse of credit cannot be underestimated.     

THE MICROBIOLOGICAL SAFETY OF SLOW COOKING IN ELECTRIC CASSEROLES

Slow cooking is examined from the point of view of micro-biological safety. Temperature penetration rates are examined and related to bacterial numbers found in various meats during and at the end of the cooking period. Possible hazards are pointed out, and preventive measures suggested.     

TARGETING METHANOL OR OTHER ALTERNATIVE FUELS: HOW INTRUSIVE SHOULD PUBLIC POLICY BE?

Continuing concerns over air quality have prompted calls for governmental targeting of alternative fuels. This paper uses methanol targeting as an example to address the role for public policy in terms of underlying theory and policy options. The paper shows that mandates promoting a transition to alternative fuels are inferior to other policy alternatives. It proposes market-based alternatives instead.