Front-of-pack nutrition labels: perceptions and preferences of Brazilian adult consumers

2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Claudia Mazzonetto ◽  
Ana Carolina Fernandes ◽  
Aretusa Dias de Souza ◽  
Vanessa Mello Rodrigues ◽  
Tailane Scapin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Regulatory Agency ◽  
Food Choices ◽  
Purchase Decisions ◽  
Warning Labels ◽  
Traffic Light ◽  
Nutrition Labels ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Black Triangle ◽  
Small Pool ◽  
Labeling System

PurposeThis study aimed to examine the perceptions and preferences of Brazilian adult consumers about four different front-of-pack (FOP) food labeling systems proposed by the Brazilian National Health Regulatory Agency.Design/methodology/approachThis is a qualitative study conducted with 33 participants allocated in six focus groups. Four different types of FOP labels were displayed on processed and packaged bread: three interpretive warning labels (black triangle, black octagon and red ellipse) and a hybrid model (nutritional traffic light). Thematic analysis was used to identify the key topics addressed by participants.FindingsThree topics were identified: label design, clarity and precision of information. The results demonstrated an influence of labels on product development and consumers' food choices. Most participants expressed a preference for black warning labels and reported the importance of statements endorsed by the Ministry of Health, which provide credibility and could influence food choices. Furthermore, participants agreed that the traffic light system provides more information but is difficult to interpret when comparing products. Warning labels were reported to have the greatest influence on purchase decisions. However, participants were concerned about how to understand the lack of warning labels on some products.Practical implicationsThe results may help and support the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency to identify and recommend the most effective FOP labeling system to be adopted in Brazil.Originality/valueFew studies investigating adult consumers' perceptions of different FOP label formats have been conducted in the Brazilian context. Our study contributes to the small pool of evidence on the topic by demonstrating that FOP labels can be helpful for consumers when they are presented in an intuitive, interpretative and trustworthy format.

scholarly journals Impact of explained v. unexplained front-of-package nutrition labels on parent and child food choices: a randomized trial

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 774-785 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan J Graham ◽  
Rachel G Lucas-Thompson ◽  
Megan P Mueller ◽  
Melanie Jaeb ◽  
Lisa Harnack
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Trial ◽  
Saturated Fat ◽  
Food Choices ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Traffic Light ◽  
Consumer Awareness ◽  
Nutrition Labels ◽  
Calorie Content ◽  
Parent Child

AbstractObjectiveThe present study investigated whether parent/child pairs would select more healthful foods when: (i) products were labelled with front-of-package (FOP) nutrition labels relative to packages without labels; (ii) products were labelled with colour-coded Multiple Traffic Light (MTL) FOP labels relative to monochromatic Facts up Front (FuF) FOP labels; and (iii) FOP labels were explained via in-aisle signage v. unexplained.DesignParticipants were randomly assigned to one of five conditions: (i) FuF labels with in-aisle signs explaining the labels; (ii) FuF labels, no signage; (iii) MTL labels with in-aisle signage; (iv) MTL labels, no signage; (v) control group, no labels/signage. Saturated fat, sodium, sugar and energy (calorie) content were compared across conditions.SettingThe study took place in a laboratory grocery aisle.SubjectsParent/child pairs (n 153) completed the study.ResultsResults did not support the hypothesis that MTL labels would lead to more healthful choices than FuF labels. The presence of FOP labels did little to improve the healthfulness of selected foods, with few exceptions (participants with v. without access to FOP labels selected lower-calorie cereals, participants with access to both FOP labels and in-aisle explanatory signage selected products with less saturated fat v. participants without explanatory signage).ConclusionsNeither MTL nor FuF FOP labels led to food choices with significantly lower saturated fat, sodium or sugar. In-aisle signs explaining the FOP labels were somewhat helpful to consumers in making more healthful dietary decisions. New FOP labelling programmes could benefit from campaigns to increase consumer awareness and understanding of the labels.

scholarly journals Awareness, Comprehension, and Use of Newly-Mandated Nutrition Labels Among Mestiza and Indigenous Ecuadorian Women in the Central Andes Region of Ecuador

2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fadya Orozco ◽  
Diana Ochoa ◽  
Maria Muquinche ◽  
Manuel Padro ◽  
Christopher L. Melby
Keyword(s):  
Formal Education ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Food Selection ◽  
Limited Resource ◽  
Food Choices ◽  
Indigenous Women ◽  
Food Label ◽  
Traffic Light ◽  
Nutrition Label ◽  
Labeling System

Background: In 2014, Ecuador became the first country in Latin America to adopt the nutritional traffic light labeling system as a public policy aimed at guiding informed food choices. Objective: To describe the differences in comprehension and use of the new nutrition label in 2 different ethnic populations residing in a limited resource area of central Ecuador. Methods: A total of 394 women (18-75 years, 54.8% indigenous and 45.2% mixed-race mestizas) were randomly selected in the Chimborazo Province and were requested by a questionnaire to provide information regarding their awareness and comprehension of the traffic light nutritional labeling system and personal use of the food label in food selection. Results: Indigenous women had a high percentage who lacked any formal education (43.5%) and a greater proportion were not aware of the labeling system when compared with the mestizas (84.3% vs 46%; P = .001). In both groups, the main reason for not reading labels was lack of understanding of its meaning (50% indigenous vs 32.7% mestiza; P < .05). The reported use of the labeling system for food choices was low—on average, 32% of the mestizas and 5% of the indigenous women reported using nutrition label information to guide their purchase and consumption of packaged food items. Conclusion: The use of nutritional labeling is low in both mestiza and indigenous Ecuadorians, although higher among the mestizas. Among the indigenous women, mostly likely owing to less education, limited nutrition-related health knowledge, and higher risk for food insecurity, the utility of the new traffic light food label is limited.

“Most of them are junk food but we did put fruit on there and we have water”

2015 ◽  
Vol 115 (2) ◽  
pp. 126-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne Waddingham ◽  
Stella Stevens ◽  
Kate Macintyre ◽  
Kelly Shaw
Keyword(s):  
Primary School ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
Food Preferences ◽  
Food Choices ◽  
Dietary Guidelines ◽  
Valuable Insight ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
National Guidelines ◽  
Content Type ◽  
School Canteen

Purpose – The Australian Dietary Guidelines support good health and disease prevention. Children with healthy eating habits established early in life have been shown to continue these habits into adulthood compared with those children who have poor eating habits in their younger years. The nutritional intake of many Australian children is not in accordance with the national guidelines. The reasons children make the food choices they do are unclear from the literature. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – This study used participatory action research methods to explore why primary school-aged children make the food choices that they do. A non-government primary school requested assistance in encouraging their children to make healthier choices from the school canteen menu. The authors gathered opinions from the children in two different ways; a group discussion during class and a “discovery day” that involved four class grades. The authors identified children’s food preferences and food availability in canteens. The authors explored how the children perceived healthy foods, the importance of a healthy food environment and what criteria children use to decide what foods to buy. Findings – Children’s food preferences were mostly for unhealthy foods, and these were readily available in the canteen. The perception about what foods were healthy was limited. Despite being asked to develop a “healthy” menu, the majority of choices made by the children were not healthy. Children described unhealthy choices as preferable because of taste of the food, if it was sugary, if it was quick to eat, available and cheap, the relationship of food and weather, the connection to health conditions and peer dominance. Practical implications – This study suggests that children make their food choices based on simple concepts. The challenge lies around producing healthy options in collaboration with the school community that match the children’s food choice criteria. Originality/value – This paper provides a modern and inspiring whole school approach based on equity and empowerment of the children. Discovering why children make food choices from the children’s perspective will help to present healthy options that will be more appealing for children. The methodology used to uncover why children make their food choices has also provided valuable insight into a study design that could be used to address other childhood research questions. The methodology offers an educative experience while gathering rich information directly from the children. This information can be used by the school to support children to have more control over their health and to develop behaviours to increase their health for the rest of their lives.

Serving sizes and energy values on the nutrition labels of regular and diet/light processed and ultra-processed dairy products sold in Brazil

2016 ◽  
Vol 118 (7) ◽  
pp. 1579-1593 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priscila Pereira Machado ◽  
Mariana Vieira dos Santos Kraemer ◽  
Nathalie Kliemann ◽  
Cláudia Flemming Colussi ◽  
Marcela Boro Veiros ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Density ◽  
Dairy Products ◽  
Dairy Product ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
Nutrition Labels ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Size Information ◽  
Nutrition Labelling ◽  
Serving Sizes ◽  
Serving Size

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyse and compare the serving sizes and energy values reported on the nutrition information of all processed and ultra-processed dairy products in their regular and diet/light versions available for sale in a large supermarket in Brazil. Design/methodology/approach – A check was done for associations between the compliance of reported serving sizes, energy values per serving and energy density for regular foods and foods advertised at “diet/light” (with reduced fat and calories). Findings – The data included information from 451 dairy product labels. Most of the products had serving sizes smaller than the reference set by Brazilian law. A high variability of serving sizes was found for similar products. “Diet/light” foods tend to report serving sizes that are even smaller and more inadequate. Moreover, the energy density of these products was similar to that of the regular foods. Smaller serving sizes may be being presented on “diet/light” foods in order to report lower energy values and on similar foods to show non-existent differences in energy values. These results point to the importance of standardizing serving size information on food labels so that consumers have access to clear and accurate information about food products. Originality/value – This was the first census-type study to analyse the serving size information of dairy products at a supermarket of one of the ten largest supermarket chains in Brazil. This work extends the scope of current food labelling and contributes to the discussion about how nutrition labelling has been presented to Brazilian consumers and its possible consequences for food choices and the guarantee of consumer rights.

scholarly journals The new nutrition label is a combination of the physical activity, traffic light and warning labels: a qualitative study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shirin Seyedhamzeh ◽  
Saharnaz Nedjat ◽  
Elham Shakibazadeh ◽  
Hedayat Hosseini ◽  
Azam Doustmohammadian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Nutrition Labeling ◽  
Warning Labels ◽  
Traffic Light ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Insufficient Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Activity Recommendations ◽  
New Type ◽  
Effective Policy

Abstract Background Unhealthy diets and inadequate physical activity are important factors in the increasing trend of obesity. In order to mitigate this harmful trend, an effective policy must be developed to target both unhealthy diets and insufficient physical activity. The implementation of physical activity recommendations in nutrition labeling may influence the consumers’ food choices. In this qualitative study, we designed a new type of physical activity calorie equivalent (PACE) label by considering the viewpoints of household representatives and experts. Method Ten focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with 63 mothers from different regions of Tehran based on the participants’ socioeconomic status. Furthermore, ten interviews were conducted with food quality control (FQC) experts to examine the new PACE label. The preliminary designs were based on the mothers’ viewpoints. We then presented these new labels to the nutritionists and food industry experts in two separate FGDs. After taking their opinions into consideration, we applied certain changes to the labels and emailed them to the mothers. Consequently, the final versions of the new labels were designed. Conventional content analysis was applied with the MAXQDA10 software. Result Two main themes were defined: (1) the stakeholders’ perspectives on PACE labeling (2) the new PACE label’s characteristics including the appearance and the nutritional information on the new label. Conclusion The new label is a combination of the physical activity, traffic light and warning labels.

scholarly journals The power of materialism among young adults: exploring the effects of values on impulsiveness and responsible financial behavior

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Lučić ◽  
Marija Uzelac ◽  
Andrea Previšić
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Brand Management ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Financial Behavior ◽  
Purchase Decisions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Financial Behaviour ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of values of materialism on cognitive and affective impulsiveness and responsible financial behavior among young adults. Design/methodology/approach A large-scale study (n = 483) was conducted on a sample of young adults 18 to 25 years of age in Croatia. Findings The research found that materialism has no direct effect on responsible financial behaviour (RFB), however, cognitive impulsiveness fully mediates the relationship of all three there three elements of materialism, centrality, success and happiness and RFB. Affective impulsiveness has no effect on the relationship. Furthermore, only materialism as centrality strongly and positively influences cognitive and affective impulsiveness. Practical implications Presented conclusions could be used by policymakers as guidelines for developing educational plans and curriculum to build financial capability and consumer protection among young adults and could be helpful for brand management activities targeting young people purchase decisions. Originality/value This paper’s ultimate purpose is to uncover the mechanism and the power of materialism on impulsiveness and responsible financial behavior. The paper’s originality is established by the focus on the investigation of materialism as an antecedent factor of impulsiveness and by questioning the nature of the relationship between materialism and responsible financial behavior through the mediating effect of impulsiveness.

scholarly journals Nutri-Score: The Most Efficient Front-of-Pack Nutrition Label to Inform Portuguese Consumers on the Nutritional Quality of Foods and Help Them Identify Healthier Options in Purchasing Situations

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 4335
Author(s):  
Francisco Goiana-da-Silva ◽  
David Cruz-e-Silva ◽  
Catarina Nobre-da-Costa ◽  
Alexandre Morais Nunes ◽  
Morgane Fialon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Quality ◽  
Food Choices ◽  
P Value ◽  
Portuguese Population ◽  
Food Category ◽  
Nutrition Labels ◽  
Label Condition ◽  
Promising Strategy ◽  
Ranking Task

Several studies have identified Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labels (FoPLs) as a promising strategy to improve the nutritional quality of consumers’ food choices and encourage manufacturers to offer healthier products. This study aims to fill the evidence gap regarding the most effective FoPL among the Portuguese population. In total, 1059 Portuguese participants were recruited through a web panel provider and asked to declare their intended food choices and to rank three sets of products (pizza, cakes and breakfast cereals) according to their nutritional quality, first in the absence of any labelling, and then with a FoPL displayed on-pack (five FoPLs tested). Finally, participants were asked to answer nine statements related to perceptions of FoPLs. Results showed that participants improved their food choices, depending on the FoPL and the food category. All FoPLs led to a higher percentage of correct responses on the ranking task compared to the no label condition. The Nutri-Score was among the FoPLs producing the greatest improvement across all food categories compared to the reference intakes (OR = 6.45 [4.43–9.39], p-value < 0.0001) and facilitating the highest percentage to correctly rank products according to nutritional quality. This study suggests that, among the available options, Nutri-Score is the most efficient FoPL to inform Portuguese consumers of the nutritional quality of foods and help them identify healthier options in mock purchasing situations.

scholarly journals Front-of-pack warning labels are preferred by parents with low education level in four Latin American countries

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 11-26
Author(s):  
Sofia Rincon Gallardo Patino ◽  
Ángela Carriedo ◽  
Lizbeth Tolentino-Mayo ◽  
Jacqueline Araneda ◽  
Lorena Allemandi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Latin America ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Warning Labels ◽  
Nutrition Label ◽  
Nutrition Labels ◽  
Low Education ◽  
Education Levels ◽  
Latin American Countries

Background: Overweight and obesity rates in Latin America are much higher than the global prevalence. Front-of-pack (FOP) nutrition label systems are gaining momentum in Latin America and being implemented as a strategy to tackle obesity among children and adults. This study investigates the usage and preference of three FOP nutrition labels among Argentinian, Chilean, Costa Rican, and Mexican adult parents. Methods: From March to May 2016, a questionnaire was administered to 966 parents of elementary school aged children in Argentina (89), Chile (304), Costa Rica (258) and Mexico (315). Guideline Daily Amounts (GDA), traffic light (TL), and warning label FOP systems were compared and analyzed. Statistical analysis was conducted using frequencies and proportions. Median differences tests, ANOVAs and logistic regression models were performed. A thematic analysis of qualitative data was conducted using a deductive process. Results: Parents with low education levels and poor health conditions (i.e., overweight) preferred the FOP warning labels over the GDA and TL systems. The GDA FOP nutrition labels were preferred by parents with higher education levels. Overall, the TL system was preferred with no significant differences across countries. Conclusion: FOP warning labels are preferred by parents with vulnerable conditions (i.e., low education levels and overweight) across four Latin American countries. An easily understandable, readable and acceptable label may facilitate usage by vulnerable groups to make healthy food purchases. These results have important policy implications by providing evidence to government policymakers to enact legislation to implement or enhance existing FOP nutrition label policies as a viable strategy to reduce obesity risk.

scholarly journals An objective examination of consumer perception of nutrition information based on healthiness ratings and eye movements

2007 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 238-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary Jones ◽  
Miles Richardson
Keyword(s):  
Eye Movements ◽  
Consumer Perception ◽  
Nutrition Information ◽  
Objective Measures ◽  
Traffic Light ◽  
Nutrition Label ◽  
Nutrition Labels ◽  
Nutrition Labelling ◽  
Light System ◽  
Food Standards

AbstractObjectivePrevious research on nutrition labelling has mainly used subjective measures. This study examines the effectiveness of two types of nutrition label using two objective measures: eye movements and healthiness ratings.DesignEye movements were recorded while participants made healthiness ratings for two types of nutrition label: standard and standard plus the Food Standards Agency's ‘traffic light’ concept.SettingUniversity of Derby, UK.SubjectsA total of 92 participants (mean age 31.5 years) were paid for their participation. None of the participants worked in the areas of food or nutrition.ResultsFor the standard nutrition label, participant eye movements lacked focus and their healthiness ratings lacked accuracy. The traffic light system helped to guide the attention of the consumer to the important nutrients and improved the accuracy of the healthiness ratings of nutrition labels.ConclusionsConsumers have a lack of knowledge regarding how to interpret nutrition information for standard labels. The traffic light concept helps to ameliorate this problem by indicating important nutrients to which to pay attention.

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