A Symbolic Production of Responsible Capitalism: The Case of Sustainable Palm Oil
This article examines so-called sustainable foods as a symbolic production of responsible capitalism. It focuses on the controversy surrounding the proposed taxation of palm oil in France between 2012 and 2016 (the “Nutella tax”). Initially introduced on political and public health grounds, the tax...
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| Gepubliceerd in: | URI:https://journals.openedition.org/bssg, |
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| Formaat: | Article ou chapitre numérique |
| Taal: | Anglais |
| Gepubliceerd in: |
Biens Symboliques / Symbolic Goods
2026
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| Online toegang: | Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM |
| Samenvatting: | This article examines so-called sustainable foods as a symbolic production of responsible capitalism. It focuses on the controversy surrounding the proposed taxation of palm oil in France between 2012 and 2016 (the “Nutella tax”). Initially introduced on political and public health grounds, the tax was gradually abandoned as a new narrative of “sustainable” palm oil took hold. Drawing on an analysis of parliamentary debates, communications from public and private actors, and a media corpus, the article shows how corporate lobbying and communication strategies redirected the issues at stake, turning a public health priority into a matter of sustainable development. Framing companies as competing for salvation rather than for profit enabled agri-food industries to continue their economic activity within a form of salvation capitalism, cast as serving the common good. |
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