What′s your poison? The freedom to choose our food and drink

Abstract

Examines various problems concerning the practical implementation of the principle of free choice. These are exemplified in a specific everyday context – the consumer′s freedom to choose food and drink products. Identifies a number of actual constraints on that freedom before the main question is tackled: what further restrictions might be considered justifiable and desirable? Suggests three categories of factor which might justify such restrictions – psychological factors associated with the maximizing of freedom of choice; safety factors concerned with the minimizing of risk; and ethical/social factors involving such issues as animal welfare and socio‐economic needs. Concludes that certain restrictions on the consumer′s freedom of choice may at times be justified by an appeal to other principles and considerations.

Citation

Straughan, R. (1995), "What′s your poison? The freedom to choose our food and drink", British Food Journal, Vol. 97 No. 11, pp. 13-20. https://doi.org/10.1108/00070709510105212