From farm to fork: a systematic review and synthesis of the effect of sustainability related food labels on consumer behaviour

Global concern about the impact food systems have on the environment has accelerated the use of sustainable food labels to steer consumers toward lower-impact choices. Yet with more than 148 schemes worldwide and inconsistent label formats, research findings remain fragmented. This systematic review synthesizes 64 studies published between 2001 and 2025 to clarify how sustainable food labels influence consumer attitudes and behaviour. Using PRISMA guidelines and the TCCM framework, results find SFLs generally have positive effects on consumer attitudes and behaviour. Traffic-light formats – across Eco-, Enviro-, Planet- and carbon-based systems – produce the most consistent improvements, suggesting that simple, familiar, heuristic cues enhance comprehension and decision-making. In contrast, carbon footprint labels generate mixed or negative effects, likely due to higher cognitive demands and lower interpretability. By integrating evidence across diverse label types, contexts, and designs, this review identifies key factors shaping SFL effectiveness and highlights priorities for policy and future research.