RESEARCHERS at Queen’s University Belfast have played a leading role in developing a new ‘Sus-Health Index’, a single, easy-to-read measure that aims to communicate both the nutritional value and envi...

A new study from the University of Nottingham's School of Psychology shows that people frequently misjudge the environmental impact of everyday foods. Researchers had 168 UK participants sort a wide range of supermarket items into categories based on perceived environmental harm. Many assumed processed foods and animal products were the worst offenders, but they often overlooked the high impact of water-intensive items like nuts and underestimated beef's outsized footprint compared to chicken or other meats. These errors stem from simplistic heuristics, such as animal vs. plant distinctions or processing levels, rather than comprehensive life cycle assessments that factor in emissions, land use, water consumption, and waste from production to disposal. The research, funded by UKRI's Smart Data Research UK and published in the Journal of Cleaner Production, highlights food production's role in greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity loss. Participants were surprised by scientific impact estimates and expressed willingness to adjust their buying habits—reducing high-impact foods and increasing lower-impact ones. Lead author Daniel Fletcher noted the task's interactive design engaged people effectively, while co-author Professor Alexa Spence emphasized the need for clear labeling. Simple A-E grading systems on packaging could bridge perception gaps, enabling easier comparisons between disparate products like meats and processed snacks. This first-of-its-kind study using real grocery items calls for better consumer education to promote sustainable eating.