Scoring social sustainability of food products: A framework based on national-level data

This study presents a new framework for assessing social risks in the food system through a social sustainability score, aiming to enable more socially responsible decision-making among consumers, producers and policymakers. The framework was designed to apply to both domestic and imported food, based on quantifiable open-source data, and combining multiple indicators into a single weighted score. Relevant categories were identified through stakeholder engagement, followed by the selection of suitable indicators and the collection of reliable open data. To simplify interpretation and reduce data redundancy, the initial set of indicators was reduced using correlation analysis, cluster analysis and principal component analysis. Eleven categories were retained: child labour, forced labour, poverty alleviation, animal welfare, non-fatal injuries, equal opportunities for women, fair salary, smallholders’ production conditions, agricultural infrastructure, public sustainability and local employment . Weighting is unavoidable when aggregating multiple dimensions into a single score. Weighting factors were developed using an expert panel assessing the relative importance of categories, incorporating both normative and sector-specific considerations. A scoring scale with threshold values was then established. To avoid situations in which high risk on critical indicators (e.g. child labour) was compensated by low risk on others, a non-compensatory approach was applied to two critical human rights categories, resulting in a capped total score regardless of performance in other categories. An optional reward for domestic production was tested to integrate the proposed category of national self-sufficiency and food security. Sensitivity analysis showed that methodological choices affected the results. To strengthen validity, the selected categories were compared with established European and global frameworks, showing substantial overlap. • A framework for scoring the social sustainability of food products is developed. • Stakeholder input and statistical methods identify 11 core social categories. • Weighting factors enable aggregation into a single social sustainability score. • Non-compensatory rules address critical social risks. • Optional reward for domestic products representing food security.