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An introduction and review of food and packaging policies employed by retailers; and an objective evaluation of Gateway′s new approach. The review highlights key issues arising and gives social and economic background to Gateway′s innovative policies.

Examines the role of organic and conventional farming in the supply food chain. In particular addresses whether organic and conventional farmers have different beliefs and values; do organic farmers′ beliefs and values constitute a barrier to the conversion of conventional farmers; are these organic beliefs and values antithetic to modern distribution systems and; do organic and conventional farmers have different views about the economics of organic farming? Addresses these questions through the discriminant analysis of the results of an attitude survey of 117 English farmers which gathered beliefs, values and norms using the theory of Reasoned Action. Concludes that organic and conventional farmers share a common negative economic outlook on organic farming, but they have separate value systems which parallel the “alternative” and “conventional” paradigms identified by the American Research.

The area of food retailing and consumers′ product preferences is focused on. Valuations in product and price attributes across product categories are investigated. A conceptual framework is developed for analysing food choice situations; product categories and product attributes are identified and measured; the importance of product attributes and the implications for retailers′ marketing mix strategies are assessed. The main conclusion drawn is that for each product category studied (preserves, bakery products, cereals, dairy products, soups, toiletries, fresh meats) customers were looking for different groups of attributes, and different priorities were attached to attributes across product categories.

Many changes in food consumption trends have taken place in the UK over the last decade. A prime consideration has been the relationship between diet and health, with more consumers than ever expressing an interest in the nutritional profile of foods and the effects of various methods of food preparation and processing. The changes in household composition are also noted.

Presents empirical evidence in the context of grocery shopping to challenge the assumption that routine shopping is considered invariably to be a low‐involvement activity. Argues that certain situational factors may give rise to routine purchases becoming more involving than others and studies the case of stock‐out situations. Finds that there is some evidence to suggest that routine food shopping for many consumers can be highly involving at times.

Explores the relationship between mothers′ purchase of perceived healthy foods, packaging characteristics, and the childrens “pester power” in obtaining attractive or appealing packaging. The results suggest mothers will not buy perceived healthy foods if the packaging is not acceptable. Discusses packaging and marketing strategies.

Describes the life history of the British Food Journal, its changing editorial team, ownership and editorial focus. The authors have used much wider source material than the archives of the journal, now in its 100th year. The journal was always closely identified with the safety of food, its adulteration and the government’s duty to safeguard the public. The second section reviews the profession and role of the public analyst, in particular the history and development of the Society of Public Analysts. The next and longest section of the monograph is devoted to an interesting examination of food safety, nutrition and food manufacturing issues over the last 100 years. Many of the points raised are illustrated by excerpts from papers written in BFJ and included as Appendices to the monograph. Food irradiation was first raised as a subject in the journal in 1928! Bread and milk as staples in the British diet are looked at in some detail in terms of their ingredients and health properties. Some appendices have been included just for interest and provide brief snapshots of some of the main food concerns of the time, e.g. The Pure Food Society, the food we eat, food poisoning, a world food policy, the packaging of foods, food hygiene. Plus ça change ...

Three events of significance to this country took place in 1899 – the British Food Journal was launched, Australia retained the Ashes, and the Boer War hostilities commenced. If challenged on the order of their importance, cricketers and Empire‐builders may be excused their preference. However, looking at it purely from the standpoint of pro bono publico, the dispassionate observer must surely opt for the birth of a certain publication as being ultimately the most beneficial of the three.

Altering eating habits are leading to an increase in child obesity rates, especially in lower social class. One possible prevention activity is the implementation of a quality label for children's food. Therefore, this paper seeks to investigate parents' food choice criteria in light of social standing to deduce the possible impact of such a quality label.

A total of 15 qualitative interviews were conducted with parents of different social class. Topics discussed were general diets, grocery shopping behaviour and attitudes towards food quality labels.

Results indicate that parents have similar choice criteria independent of their social class, e.g. quality, price, brand and children's preferences. Nutrition panels and quality labels are not of highest importance. Nonetheless, a need for information exists and their involvement in child nutrition seems to determine the possible impact of quality labels.

The qualitative methodology can be seen as a limitation of the study. The influence of involvement has to be further analysed.

Some research on the influence of quality labels in general and on family decision-making when shopping for food and with regard to differences in social class does exist. This study contributes to existing research by combining these research streams.

Despite their responsibility for mitigating the influence of commercial culture on children, parents' views of fun food marketing aimed at children remain largely unexplored. This article aims to probe parents' views of supermarket fun foods and the packaging used to promote them to children.

In total 60 in‐depth interviews were conducted with parents from different educational backgrounds, living in three different Canadian cities. Interview responses were analyzed and coded thematically using an iterative process in keeping with grounded theory.

Parents generally discussed the promotion of supermarket fun foods to children as either an issue of the nutritional quality of foods promoted to children and/or in light of the communication quality of marketing aimed at children. Parents were also divided along education lines: parents with higher educational backgrounds were more likely to oppose fun foods and praise more pastoral ideals food production and consumption, while those with less education more often praised fun foods.

These findings cannot be generalized to other parents or parents in other countries. The findings, however, suggest that a more nuanced consideration of differences within and across parents' views is warranted in debates about responsible marketing to children.

This article provides a qualitatively rich snapshot of the views of 60 Canadian parents regarding child‐targeted food marketing, and raises important questions about how to incorporate parents' views into discussions about responsible marketing, rather than presuming they are all of one mindset.