In a period when consumer behaviors are changing rapidly, food education has become an essential component of public policy and market strategy.

Romania needs a generation of informed consumers who understand the differences between products, their origins, quality, and health impact. Without this foundation, efforts to promote local products remain incomplete.

According to the European Commission, 63% of consumers in the European Union report that they cannot correctly interpret nutritional labels or terms such as “organic,” “natural,” and “clean.” In Romania, these percentages are even higher, indicating a genuine need for systemic information and education.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) emphasizes that food education has a direct impact on public health — reducing obesity, metabolic diseases, and food waste. Educational programs implemented in schools in France, Germany, and Spain have led to a 20–25% decrease in the consumption of ultra-processed foods.

According to the OECD, food education should be treated as an economic instrument, not merely a social one. Countries that invest in coherent information campaigns achieve a 10–15% increase in demand for domestic products and a reduction in imports of processed foods.

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