Files
Abstract
Guided by framing theory, this study content analyzed 108 policy documents from the European Union (EU) and the United States (U.S.) on three topics that rely on science for evidence of risk-related, benefit-related and science-related content. The current study’s topics (cyclamates, hormone-treated beef, and bisphenol A, or BPA) each present a certain amount of risk to consumers. EU and U.S. policymakers rely on scientific evidence to evaluate the magnitude of that risk. In these circumstances, it would be expected that policy-related documents would contain statements of risk. These statements may reference risk to health, the economy, and/or the environment. Research questions also explored the frequency of risk-related, benefits-related and science-related content across the topics in both jurisdictions. Findings reveal that statements of risk to health are present 10 times more often than risk to economy or risk to environment. Statements of benefit are very uncommon. Implications of these findings and their relevance for future research are discussed.