Project is co-funded by:                     

Project implementers:

• Project is coordinated by EUFIC (European Food Information Council) and in the consortium 14 partners from nine European countries are included. Partners from Slovenia (University of Ljubljana and Nutrition Institute) lead the first work package of the project (WP1 leaders), which has the key role in the research work. The value of the project is almost 4milion EUR, of which the largest part is financed by the European Commission.

Funding:

• European Commission

Duration:

• 2013-2017

Link to the project page:

• www.clymbol.eu

Brief description of the project:

CLYMBOL (Role of health-related claims and symbols in consumer behaviour) aims to better understand the effects of food labels on purchase and consumption behaviour. CLYMBOL is four years lasting project, supported by the European Commission under the Food, agriculture and fisheries, and biotechnology theme of the 7th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development.

Health claims and symbols on food labels aid consumers to identify foods that are healthier options, but little is known about their impact on consumers. CLYMBOL aims to determine the situation on the market and how health-related claims and symbols are understood by consumers, and how they affect purchasing and consumption. Researchers will consider the individual differences in needs and wants and country-specific differences regarding the use of health claims and symbols.

CLYMBOL will produce a set of methods for policy-makers and the food industry to assess the effects of health claims and symbols on food labels as these appear on the market, and recommendations on how health claims and symbols can be used to strengthen informed choice, healthy eating and industrial competitiveness. The involvement of all stakeholders is considered to ensure widespread use of the results in practice.

Publications:

• HIEKE, Sophie, CASCANETTE, Tamara, PRAVST, Igor, KAUR, Asha, TRIJP, Johannes Cornelia Maria van, VERBEKE, Wim, GRUNERT, Klaus G. The role of health-related claims and symbols in consumer behaviour : the CLYMBOL project. Agro food industry hi-tech. 2016, vol. 27, no. 3, str. 26-29. ISSN 1722-6996
• MIKLAVEC, Krista, HRIBAR, Maša, KUŠAR, Anita, PRAVST, Igor. Heart images on food labels : a health claim or not?. Foods. Feb. 2021, vol. 10, iss. 3, str. 643-1-643-16, ilustr. ISSN 2304-8158. https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/10/3/643