The effect of ecolabelling on the environmental impact of food purchases in worksite cafeterias
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN11266548 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN11266548 |
| ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT) | Nil known |
| Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) | Nil known |
| Protocol serial number | WT 205212/Z/16/Z |
| Sponsor | University of Oxford |
| Funder | Wellcome Trust |
- Submission date
- 01/04/2021
- Registration date
- 07/04/2021
- Last edited
- 12/06/2023
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Nutritional, Metabolic, Endocrine
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
The environmental impacts of different types of foods are highly variable. Previous research from studies conducted online using a virtual supermarket platform suggests that labels showing environmental impact scores were effective at encouraging people to select more sustainable products. But it remains unclear whether these labels are effective in a real-world setting or remain effective after repeated exposure. The current study aims to test the impact of eco-labels on the environmental impact of foods purchased from worksite cafeterias.
Who can participate?
We will recruit GB-based worksites that have electronic point-of-sale tills, are catered by our foodservice partner, and are able to provide data at a detailed enough level to identify specific meals sold.
What does the study involve?
The intervention involves displaying ecolabels on cafeteria menus for main meal and sandwich options. The labels show environmental impacts of the labelled products as one of 5 letters (A-E), each with its own colour (from dark green to dark red).
To test whether the ecolabels are effective, 38 worksite cafeterias will be randomised so that half (19 sites) display ecolabels and the other half continue selling their products with no additional labelling. We will use the sales data recorded from the worksite cafeterias’ tills to examine whether purchases change when the ecolabels are displayed.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
There are no foreseeable risks in taking part. Similarly, there are no specific benefits to individuals taking part. The participating caterer will gain insights into whether ecolabels influence consumer behaviour which may inform their sustainability strategy
Where is the study run from?
The University of Oxford (UK) is running the study in collaboration with a foodservice partner company.
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
October 2020 to June 2021.
Who is funding the study?
This research is funded by the Wellcome Trust (UK), Our Planet Our Health (Livestock, Environment and People - LEAP), award number 205212/Z/16/Z
Who is the main contact?
Dr Brian Cook, Senior Researcher, brian.cook@phc.ox.ac.uk
Contact information
Scientific
Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences
Radcliffe Primary Care Building
Radcliffe Observatory Quarter
Woodstock Road
Oxford
OX2 6GG
United Kingdom
| Phone | +44 (0)1865 617855 |
|---|---|
| brian.cook@phc.ox.ac.uk |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Interventional randomized controlled trial |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | A randomised controlled trial of the impact of food ecolabelling on the environmental impact of purchases from worksite cafeterias |
| Study objectives | Introducing ecolabels indicating the relative environmental impact of different food options will reduce the environmental impact of overall purchases from the worksite cafeterias |
| Ethics approval(s) | Approved 02/12/2020, Central University Research Ethics Committee, University of Oxford (Wellington Square, Oxford, OX1 2JD, UK; +44(0)1865 616577; ethics@medsci.ox.ac.uk), ref: R72710/RE001 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Improving the sustainability and healthiness of diets |
| Intervention | Worksites are randomised according to matched-pairs randomisation (based on mean sales) to either ecolabel or control (no label) conditions. In the ecolabel condition, labels indicating the relative environmental impact of food options (in the form of a grade from ‘A’ to E’, displayed on a colour-coded globe logo) will be placed on main meals, pre-made salads, soups and sandwiches for a period of 12 weeks. In the control condition, no changes will be made during the study period. |
| Intervention type | Behavioural |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
Environmental impact of purchases: Measured by the mean environmental impact score for purchased products across a week in each worksite cafeteria. The outcome will be calculated from sales data recorded via electronic point-of-sale tills throughout the 12 weeks of the trial, combined with data on the environmental impact of each food option. |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
1. Impact on revenue: Measured by the total weekly revenue (£GBP) from each cafeteria, based on sales data recorded via electronic point-of-sale tills throughout the 12 weeks of the trial |
| Completion date | 31/07/2021 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Healthy volunteer |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 38 |
| Key inclusion criteria | Recruitment is conducted at the worksite-level. We will recruit GB-based worksites that: 1. Have electronic point-of-sale tills 2. Are catered by our foodservice partner 3. Are able to provide data at a detailed enough level to identify specific meals sold |
| Key exclusion criteria | Not meeting the inclusion criteria |
| Date of first enrolment | 09/04/2021 |
| Date of final enrolment | 12/04/2021 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- United Kingdom
- England
Study participating centre
Radcliffe Primary Care Building
Radcliffe Observatory Quarter
Woodstock Road
Oxford
OX2 6GG
United Kingdom
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Not expected to be made available |
| IPD sharing plan | The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are not expected to be made available due to confidentiality. |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results article | 01/12/2022 | 12/06/2023 | Yes | No | |
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Editorial Notes
12/06/2023: Publication reference added.
06/04/2021: Trial's existence confirmed by University of Oxford.
