Food classifications: Levels and categories

People classify foods into multiple categories to construct order in comple x food environments. This investigation in the U.S. used depth interviews a nd secondary analysis of existing qualitative data sets to examine how the public constructs and uses food classifications. Within sets of culturally recognized food classifications, smaller sets of socially significant class ifications are found, and within these socially significant classifications are sets of personally operational classifications used most often in maki ng everyday food choices. Food classifications become salient and are used within specific contexts. Food classifications are multidimensional, and in clude many organizing themes such as liked/disliked, healthy/unhealthy, sea sonal/out of season, and others. These classification dimensions and catego ries vary in salience and use within and between individuals and settings. Understanding food classifications may help improve communication between f ood and health professionals and the public.