Consumer Power to Change the Food System? A Critical Reading of Food Labels as Governance Spaces: The Case of Acai Berry Superfoods

This article argues that the marketing claims on food labels are a governance space worthy of critical examination. We use a case study of superfood açaí berry products to illustrate how marketing claims on food labels encapsulate dominant neoliberal constructions of global food systems. These marketing claims implicitly promise that by making careful choices consumers can resist and redress the ravages of unbridled global capitalism. Food labels suggest that consumers can use market signals to simultaneously govern our own selves and the market to ensure sustainable, fair, and healthy consumption. In response, this article develops, justifies and applies a socio-legal approach to researching food chain governance which uses the food label as its unit of analysis and traces from the micro level of what the everyday consumer is exposed to on a food label to the broader governance processes that the food label both symbolizes and effects. We demonstrate our approach through a “label and chain governance analysis” of açaí berry marketing claims to deconstruct both the regulatory governance of the chain behind the food choices available to the consumer evident from the label and the way in which labels seek to govern consumer choices. Our analysis unpacks the nutritionist, primitivist undertones to the health claims made on these products, the neo-colonial and racist dimensions in their claims regarding fair trade and rural socio-economic development, and, the use of green-washing claims about biodiversity conservation and ecological sustainability. Through our application of this approach to the case study of açaí berry product labels, we show how food labels can legitimize the market-based governance of globalized food chains and misleadingly suggest that capitalist production can be adequately restrained by self-regulation, market-based governance and reflexive consumer choices alone. We conclude by suggesting the need for both greater deconstruction of the governance assumptions behind food labels and to possibilities for collective, public interest oriented regulatory governance of both labelling and the food system

Dacus Digest Volume 6 Issue 2

Inside this issue: OERs Benefit WinthropResearch ExplorationsNew Collection at PettusLGBTQIA+ ProjectBlack History MonthFirst 100 Days EventGet Away Anyway!Medieval Studies Displayhttps://digitalcommons.winthrop.edu/dacusdigest/1014/thumbnail.jp

Dacus Digest Volume 6 Issue 1

Inside this issue: - New Dean of Dacus & Pettus - OneSearch Discovery Tool - Open Education Network - Dot Barber Recognized - Library Services Transformed - Research Explorations - Virtual Research Party - Louise Pettus Archiveshttps://digitalcommons.winthrop.edu/dacusdigest/1012/thumbnail.jp

Evolution of Occupational Therapy Practice: Life History of Dr. Charlotte Royeen, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, FASAHP, FNAP

The purpose of this life-history study was to provide current and future generations of occupational therapists a view of the history and how occupational therapy practice has evolved through the lens of Dr. Charlotte Royeen. This study aimed to understand how Dr. Charlotte Royeen’s experiences and service has influenced the occupational therapy profession. The methodology used was a semi-structured interview conducted by two student researchers with the participant, Dr. Royeen. Data were analyzed through transcription and coding. Three categories emerged from coding: personality, professional development and occupational therapy. The researchers concluded a final assertion that is as follows: As a forward thinker and strong self-advocate, Dr. Royeen is mindful in making decisions and is willing to embrace adversity to advance occupational therapy practice and education

Evolution of Occupational Therapy Practice: Life History of Dr. Charlotte Royeen, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, FASAHP, FNAP

The purpose of this life-history study was to provide current and future generations of occupational therapists a view of the history and how occupational therapy practice has evolved through the lens of Dr. Charlotte Royeen. This study aimed to understand how Dr. Charlotte Royeen’s experiences and service has influenced the occupational therapy profession. The methodology used was a semi-structured interview conducted by two student researchers with the participant, Dr. Royeen. Data were analyzed through transcription and coding. Three categories emerged from coding: personality, professional development and occupational therapy. The researchers concluded a final assertion that is as follows: As a forward thinker and strong self-advocate, Dr. Royeen is mindful in making decisions and is willing to embrace adversity to advance occupational therapy practice and education.https://commons.und.edu/ot-oral-histories-posters/1069/thumbnail.jp

The Evolution of Occupational Therapy: Life History of Shirley A. Wells, DrPH, OTR, FAOTA

Objective: The purpose of the life history of Dr. Shirley Wells is to gain an insight about her life experiences and leadership throughout her years of work in the profession of occupational therapy. Method: An in-depth, semi-structured, hour and a half interview was conducted via the telecommunication app, Zoom. The interview was later transcribed verbatim and coded for the emergent categories and corresponding themes. Results: The predominant categories representing the major elements of her life history were overcoming challenges, providing a seat at the table, and developing practice. The findings indicate that she made a significant impact for the profession through serving the needs of others and being an advocate for the profession. Conclusion: As occupational therapy is continually changing, Dr. Shirley Wells has been dedicated to making a change and advocating for the profession. She has a strong passion for the integration of diversity, community-based practice, and the necessity for the Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) to facilitate and propel occupational therapy to the next level