Power of Label

First assignment due on the 6 the of November

Assessment instructions

This assessment represents 60% of the marks for this module and assesses Learning Outcomes 1 & 2. A full description of Learning Outcomes is available in p.6 of the handbook. 

The Task

You must write a 1500 word (maximum) essay on the subject below: .

The Power of Labels: How Food Marketing Transforms Allergies and Preferences into Profitable Trends

High-protein, gluten-free, dairy-free and sugar-free: these are just some of the labels we regularly encounter in grocery stores and supermarkets. If such claims have influenced your purchases—whether for health reasons or simply due to personal preference—you may have been affected by the health halo effect (Blum, 2024). The health halo describes the phenomenon in which people perceive a food product (or drink or supplement) as healthy based on a single claim, even if the product is not as wholesome or “angelic” as it appears.

The health halo effect occurs when consumers view a product as healthier than it really is, often because of one positive label (for example, “high protein,” “organic,” “gluten free”) or marketing tactic (such as before-and-after photos in weight-loss campaigns) that promotes claims with little or no supporting evidence (Carney, 2025). In some cases, products are rebranded with statements like “New Formula,” “Now Sugar Free” or “New and Improved,” which influence consumer behaviour but may not align with genuine health outcomes. This can make it difficult for individuals and families to make truly healthy choices.

It makes it all the more difficult for individuals who have allergies as shopping or even dining out as it can be a cause for potential mild or severe allergic reactions to be fatal when buying pre-packaged food or dining out, especially due to cross-contamination and communication failures between customers and food establishments/food companies (Duncan, 2025).

Your task is to write a 1,500-word essay exploring food marketing and labels, with a particular focus on how food companies transform consumer allergies and preferences into profitable trends.

In your essay, you should:

●      Define what food marketing is and explain how it supports and affects different stakeholders (e.g., food companies, consumers, regulators, suppliers).

●      Identify and analyse key themes related to food marketing and discuss them from multiple perspectives.

●      Consider the ethical and legal dimensions of food marketing, including mislabeling, exploitation, environmental impact and social responsibility.

●      Explore potential risks and challenges associated with this issue, such as product recalls and lawsuits.

Work shop notes:

Rules and regilations

  • 1500 word limit

  • All sources used to support your argument must be referenced using Brookes HARVARD

  • Minimum of 4 academic sources ( academic journal articles)

  • Supplement these withother sources such as databases , newspapers articles, magazines, websites.

  • include and appendix- screenshot of a minimum 4 academic articles that you used in the report

  • Final submission 1:00pm on Thursday- 6th November 2025.

Brain Dump for the Assessment for food labelling.

  • communicates value about the food

  • alerts people of harmful ingredients

  • reassures those that are allergic to certain ingredients that they are not included in the supplement

-Critical thinking is the ability to think clearly and rationally, understanding the logical connection between ideas.

-Critical thinking might be described as the ability to engage in reflective and independent thinking.

Clarification of terms- Critical thinking begins with making sure we are not using words vaguely

ownership of interpretation- definition aren’t always ficed; they can be debated. For example, “preference” or “needs” could mean different things in different frameworks. defining words encourages you to take a sentance.

Foundation for argument- Pnce you have clirified the terms, you can then build logical arguments on a clearer foundation. This allows you to focus on the question instead of “taking past” the question.

Awareness of assumption- In defining terms, you can uncover hidden assumptions in the question itself, which is a higher-order critical thinking skills.

Activates prior knowledge- you bring up what you already know, which is essential before you can evaluate or challange it. Surfaces assumptions- often, hidden bises or half-formed ideas comes out in a brain dump, which can later be examined critically.

Review activity: Mind Map

Perspective Mapping

Purpose: Identity different viewpoints or interpretations

Activity:

  • Review your Mind Map - for each theme, ask:

  • What are the different prespectives on this theme?

-Gluten intolerance/ allergy. Most people are intolerant not allergic

-Siliac

-ingedience being sparyed with chemicals