Byte into sustainability: a scoping review of digital food environment attributes that shape consumers' sustainability perceptions, attitudes, intentions, and behaviours.

backgroundCurrent food systems harm both planetary and human health. Meanwhile, our food choices are increasingly influenced by the digital food environment: spaces where digital actors (such as influencers) engage in food-related activities (like sharing content) across various platforms (for example, on social media). The digital food environment offers potential to promote more sustainable diets in several ways; for instance, influencers may encourage followers to reduce meat consumption, and supermarket apps can highlight the carbon footprint of different products. However, research on how specific features of the digital food environment, referred to here as digital attributes, affect sustainable food outcomes remains scattered. This scoping review aims to address this gap by: (1) mapping the scope and volume of current research on the relationship between the digital food environment and consumers’ sustainable food outcomes; and (2) identifying digital attributes that influence these outcomes. Consumers’ sustainable food outcomes are defined as consumers’ perceptions, attitudes, intentions, or behaviours related to social, economic, or environmental aspects of food sustainability.

methodsA systematic search was conducted in Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus for peer-reviewed studies published between 2014 and 2024, following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Studies were included if they examined the relationship between digital attributes and sustainable food outcomes. A total of 57 articles met the inclusion criteria.

resultsPublications focusing on the relationship between the digital food environment and sustainable food outcomes have been on an upward trend since 2014. Most studies originate from high-income countries (46.9%) and are predominantly quantitative (91%), focusing on general adult populations (88.3%). Across five types of digital media, 86 unique digital attributes were identified. E-commerce emerged as the most frequently studied medium (57.9%), with attributes primarily related to informative messaging and platform design. Social media followed (28.1%). Social media attributes were mainly centred on social media marketing. Other digital media, such as documentaries (7%), were explored far less.

conclusionThis review highlights growing academic interest in the links between digital attributes and consumers’ sustainable food outcomes. Future research should broaden its scope to include other digital media, consumer experiences, and underrepresented populations.