Sustainability Labels: a Supply Chain Perspective to Identify Drivers and Barriers for Adoption in the Food Industry

Context Sustainability labels (SLs) on food products aim at increasing market transparency disclosing sustainability-related information that would otherwise remain unknown to consumers. They enable consumers recognizing sustainable food products, meanwhile increasing their sustainability awareness. At the same time, their adoption leads firms to aligning with specific sustainability standards and to improve their sustainability performances. However, firms’ decision to adopt SLs is non trivial as they may face several economic, organizational, and/or regulatory challenges. Objective The aim of this review is twofold. Firstly, the study aims at mapping and categorizing food SLs available in the EU, focusing on the type of standards, and the type of information reported. Secondly, the review aims at exploring and identifying the key factors that can facilitate/obstacle SL adoption among food producers, processors, and retailers. Methods The detailed analysis of the food SLs currently in use in the EU is based on data available on the Ecoindex database, as well as on various scientific reports. The literature review follows the PRISMA framework. Scopus and Web of Science are the databases used for the literature search. An initial search identified 1,969 studies, which were narrowed down to 18 after rigorous screening. Results and Conclusions The findings were coded and categorized into six key thematic areas. The preliminary results show that SLs can provide benefits to food producers, firms, and retailers, including enhanced brand assurance and reduced transaction costs along the supply chain. However, high implementation costs, complex and fragmented certification processes and regulatory frameworks, hinder widespread adoption, particularly among smaller enterprises. While sustainability labels hold transformative potential for the food supply chain, improving their effectiveness will require harmonized standards, targeted financial support, and improved stakeholder collaboration to overcome current challenges.