Serving-size information on nutrition labels in Australia

2012 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 493-494 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lenny R. Vartanian ◽  
Nicole Sokol
Keyword(s):  
Nutrition Labels ◽  
Size Information ◽  
Serving Size

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 Food and the consumer: could labelling be the answer?

2015 ◽  
Vol 74 (2) ◽  
pp. 158-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maeve A. Kerr ◽  
Mary T. McCann ◽  
M. Barbara E. Livingstone
Keyword(s):  
Food Packaging ◽  
Portion Size ◽  
Dietary Behaviour ◽  
Nutrition Label ◽  
Nutrition Labels ◽  
Size Information ◽  
Nutrition Labelling ◽  
Point Of Purchase ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Serving Size

Extensive research into the impact of nutrition labelling across Europe has shown that many consumers can effectively use a nutrition label to rank a food for healthiness. The present paper considers observational and laboratory evidence which has examined the impact of nutrition labelling (on food packaging and at point of purchase) on dietary behaviour. In addition, the potential counterproductive effects of foods bearing ‘healthy’ nutrition labels are examined. The observational evidence provides a useful insight into the key characteristics of nutrition label use. Those most likely to engage with nutrition labels are more likely to have a diet related disease and/or be on a weight loss diet and have a good overall diet quality. Experimental evidence, while limited, suggests that serving size information may be overlooked by consumers. In fact, there may be a tendency among consumers to overeat foods that are perceived to be healthier. The findings from the present paper suggest that if nutrition labelling is to be considered a strategy to facilitate consumers in managing their energy intake, it must coincide with salient, consistent and simple serving size information on the front of food packages and at the point of purchase. There is a clear need for more experimental research using robust methodologies, to examine the impact of nutrition information on dietary intake. In the meantime, there should be greater attention given to portion size within national dietary guidance.

scholarly journals ‘How many calories did I just eat?’ An experimental study examining the effect of changes to serving size information on nutrition labels

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (16) ◽  
pp. 2959-2964 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda C Jones ◽  
Lana Vanderlee ◽  
Christine M White ◽  
Erin P Hobin ◽  
Isabelle Bordes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Content ◽  
Nutrition Label ◽  
Energy Estimation ◽  
Nutrition Labels ◽  
Size Information ◽  
Youth And Young Adults ◽  
Correct Energy ◽  
Reference Amount ◽  
Dual Column ◽  
Serving Size

AbstractObjectiveTo test modifications to nutrition label serving size information on understanding of energy (calorie) content among youth and young adults.DesignParticipants completed two online experiments. First, participants were randomly assigned to view a beverage nutrition label with a reference amount of per serving (250 ml), per container (473 ml) or a dual-column format with both reference amounts. Participants were then randomized to view a cracker nutrition label which specified a single serving in small font, a single serving in large font, or the number of servings per bag with single serving information below. In both experiments, participants estimated energy content. Logistic regression analysis modelled correct energy estimation. Finally, participants reported their preference for serving size display format.SettingCanada.SubjectsCanadian youth and young adults (n2008; aged 16–24 years).ResultsIn experiment 1, participants randomized to view the nutrition label with per container or dual column were more likely to correctly identify energy content than those using per serving information (P<0·01). For experiment 2, the serving size display format had no association with correct energy estimation. The majority of participants (61·9 %) preferred the serving size format that included servings per package.ConclusionsLabelling foods with nutrition information using a serving size reference amount for the entire container increased understanding of energy content. Consumers prefer nutrition labels that include more prominently featured serving size information. Additional modifications that further improve consumers’ accuracy should be examined. These results have direct implications for nutrition labelling policy.

Seduced by the Label: How the Recommended Serving Size on Nutrition Labels Affects Food Sales

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 104-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ossama Elshiewy ◽  
Steffen Jahn ◽  
Yasemin Boztug
Keyword(s):  
Nutrition Labels ◽  
Food Sales ◽  
Serving Size

scholarly journals Consumer Understanding, Perception and Interpretation of Serving Size Information on Food Labels: A Scoping Review

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 2189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klazine Van der Horst ◽  
Tamara Bucher ◽  
Kerith Duncanson ◽  
Beatrice Murawski ◽  
David Labbe
Keyword(s):  
Scoping Review ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Dietary Guidelines ◽  
Portion Size ◽  
Food Literacy ◽  
Size Information ◽  
Size Selection ◽  
Portion Sizes ◽  
Serving Sizes ◽  
Serving Size

The increase in packaged food and beverage portion sizes has been identified as a potential factor implicated in the rise of the prevalence of obesity. In this context, the objective of this systematic scoping review was to investigate how healthy adults perceive and interpret serving size information on food packages and how this influences product perception and consumption. Such knowledge is needed to improve food labelling understanding and guide consumers toward healthier portion size choices. A search of seven databases (2010 to April 2019) provided the records for title and abstract screening, with relevant articles assessed for eligibility in the full-text. Fourteen articles met the inclusion criteria, with relevant data extracted by one reviewer and checked for consistency by a second reviewer. Twelve studies were conducted in North America, where the government regulates serving size information. Several studies reported a poor understanding of serving size labelling. Indeed, consumers interpreted the labelled serving size as a recommended serving for dietary guidelines for healthy eating rather than a typical consumption unit, which is set by the manufacturer or regulated in some countries such as in the U.S. and Canada. Not all studies assessed consumption; however, larger labelled serving sizes resulted in larger self-selected portion sizes in three studies. However, another study performed on confectionary reported the opposite effect, with larger labelled serving sizes leading to reduced consumption. The limited number of included studies showed that labelled serving size affects portion size selection and consumption, and that any labelled serving size format changes may result in increased portion size selection, energy intake and thus contribute to the rise of the prevalence of overweight and obesity. Research to test cross-continentally labelled serving size format changes within experimental and natural settings (e.g., at home) are needed. In addition, tailored, comprehensive and serving-size-specific food literacy initiatives need to be evaluated to provide recommendations for effective serving size labelling. This is required to ensure the correct understanding of nutritional content, as well as informing food choices and consumption, for both core foods and discretionary foods.

scholarly journals Consumer Understanding, Perception and Interpretation of Serving Size Information on Food Labels: A Scoping Review

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamara Bucher ◽  
Kerith Duncanson ◽  
Beatrice Murawski ◽  
Klazine Van der Horst ◽  
David Labbe
Keyword(s):  
Scoping Review ◽  
Consumer Attitudes ◽  
Portion Size ◽  
Food Literacy ◽  
Size Information ◽  
Food Packages ◽  
Portion Sizes ◽  
Abstract Screening ◽  
Serving Sizes ◽  
Serving Size

This scoping review investigated how consumers perceive and interpret serving size information on food packages. A search of seven databases (2010 to September 2017) was followed by title and abstract screening, with relevant articles assessed for eligibility in full-text. Fourteen studies met inclusion criteria, with relevant data extracted by one reviewer and checked for consistency by a second reviewer. Five studies reported poor understanding of nutrition facts labelling and portion size, with information to &lsquo;benchmark&rsquo; serving size against reported as helpful in two studies. Consumer attitudes towards serving size labelling were measured in six studies and identified that serving size information was interpreted as indicative of nutrient intake regardless of portion size recommendations. Increased labelled serving sizes resulted in increased portion sizes in three studies, with three studies reporting the opposite or neutral effect for discretionary food portion sizes. The influence of labelled serving size on consumer attitudes and consumption is complex and sometimes counterintuitive. As labelled serving size can impact on consumption, any changes may result in unintended public health consequences. The effects of labelled serving size format changes should be tested carefully within experimental and ecological contexts and accompanied by tailored, comprehensive and serving size-specific food literacy initiatives.

Comprehension and Use of Nutrition Facts Tables among Adolescents and Young Adults in Canada

2016 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 59-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin Hobin ◽  
Grace Shen-Tu ◽  
Jocelyn Sacco ◽  
Christine White ◽  
Carolyn Bowman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Young People ◽  
Adolescents And Young Adults ◽  
Nutrition Information ◽  
Thought Processes ◽  
Limited Evidence ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Size Information ◽  
Serving Sizes ◽  
Serving Size

Purpose: Limited evidence exists on the comprehension and use of Nutrition Facts tables (NFt) among adolescents and young adults. This study provides an account of how young people engage with, understand, and apply nutrition information on the current and modified versions of the NFt to compare and choose foods. Methods: Participants aged 16–24 years (n = 26) were asked to “think aloud” while viewing either the current or 1 of 5 modified NFts and completing a behavioural task. The task included a questionnaire with 9 functional items requiring participants to define, compare, interpret, and manipulate serving size and percentage daily value (%DV) information on NFts. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to further probe thought processes and difficulties experienced in completing the task. Results: Equal serving sizes on NFts improved ability to accurately compare nutrition information between products. Most participants could define %DV and believed it can be used to compare foods, yet some confusion persisted when interpreting %DVs and manipulating serving-size information on NFts. Where serving sizes were unequal, mathematical errors were often responsible for incorrect responses. Conclusions: Results reinforce the need for equal serving sizes on NFts of similar products and highlight young Canadians’ confusion when using nutrition information on NFts.

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