Clarification details
Updated September 2015. This clarification has been updated to address issues that have arisen from moderation.
Investigation
An investigation should include an explanation of a range of practices used by multinational food corporations to influence eating patterns. Detailed examples and evidence are expected to support the explanation of the practices and how they influence consumer decision making around food choices.
It is expected that the chosen multinational food corporations have a significant influence on food choices in New Zealand. Practices used for the explanation should be linked to changing consumer expectations and behaviour towards food choices.
Some factors such as advertising will be made up of a range of practices. For example, fast food production could include media advertising, upsizing, packaged individualised meals, two-for-one specials, combos, healthy choices, social activities, targeting key groups. In this situation, a range of practices would be explained.
Supporting evidence is needed for the explanation of the practices used, and some should be less than five years old. Sources could include interviews, statistics, research reports, newspaper and other print articles, documentaries, government and Ministry websites and recognised non-government organisations (NGOs).
In-depth investigation
For Merit, an in-depth analysis should include clear links between the development of the practices used by the multinational food corporations and changing eating patterns. These may include how consumers expectations, attitudes, habits, beliefs, values, wants and perceptions have been influenced and resulted in changed eating patterns. Increasingly complex practices used by the corporations should be explained.
Comprehensive investigation
For Excellence, a comprehensive investigation involves relating a detailed analysis of the practices used by the multinational food corporations to the possible implications and challenges for societal well-being.
Insight should include how consequences such as loss of sensory appreciation of fresh food, loss of knowledge and cooking skills, surrendering control over food choices, food security and health implications contribute to long term challenges for New Zealand society.