O enorme desenvolvimento que tem ocorrido na área alimentícia gera a necessidade de legislações que regulamentem o setor nos âmbitos de qualidade, segurança e rotulagem. Entretanto, o cumprimento das legislações muitas vezes não tem sido observado. Este trabalho tem o objetivo de verificar a conformidade da rotulagem de algumas categorias de produtos alimentícios comercializados na cidade de São Paulo frente à legislação brasileira em vigor, analisando dados quantitativos e qualitativos da conformidade e da não-conformidade dos rótulos dos alimentos frente à legislação e apresentando propostas para sua melhoria. Foram analisadas 11 categorias de produtos alimentícios de grande consumo pela população (tais como leites, chocolates e sorvetes) e 2 categorias de produtos para grupos populacionais específicos (alimentos infantis e alimentos para praticantes de atividade física). Dos 52 rótulos analisados, 80,8% apresentaram no mínimo um tipo de não-conformidade frente à legislação vigente, e apenas 19,2% estavam plenamente de acordo com o estabelecido na legislação brasileira. Entre as categorias analisadas, a categoria que apresentou maior número de itens não-conformes foi a categoria de alimentos para praticantes de atividade física. Com relação ao número de rótulos não-confomes, quatro categorias (bombons, leites UHT, biscoitos e alimentos infantis) apresentaram 100% de rótulos não-confomes, ou seja, para estas categorias todos os rótulos analisados não atendiam ao estabelecido na legislação. Já com relação ao tipo de irregularidade, a tabela nutricional foi o item avaliado que apresentou maior número de irregularidades. Desta forma, alguns itens da legislação são discutidos, tais como a previsão em legislação do uso de valores diários de referência considerando as necessidades nutricionais de crianças quando o produto for destinado ao público infantil, a fim de proporcionar uma melhor adequação dos rótulos às necessidades dos consumidores. / The huge development that has occurred in the food sector generates the necessity of laws regulating the industry in the areas of quality, safety and labeling. However, compliance with legislation is not always observed. This work is intended to verify conformity of labeling of some categories of food products sold in São Paulo city with Brazilian legislation in force, analyzing quantitative and qualitative data compliance and non-compliance of food product labels with legislation and to submit proposals for their improvement. Eleven categories of food products of large consumption by the population have been analyzed (such as milk, chocolate and ice cream) and two categories of products for specific population groups (infant food and food products for practitioners of physical activity). From the 52 labels analyzed, 80.8% presented at least one type of non-conformity with legislation and only 19.2% were fully in accordance with the established in the Brazilian legislation. Among categories analyzed, the one presenting the largest amount of non-compliant items was the food category for practitioners of physical activity. With respect to the number of noncompliant labels, four categories (chocolates, UHT milk, biscuits and infant food) presented 100% non-compliant labels, meaning that for these categories all labels analyzed did not meet the legislation standards. With respect to the type of nonconformity, the nutritional table was the item analyzed which presented the largest number of irregularities. This way, some items of the legislation are discussed, such as stipulating by legislation the use of daily values of reference considering children nutritional necessities when the food product is intended for the childrens\' segment, in order to provide a proper adequacy of labels to consumer\'s necessities.

Introducción: El etiquetado nutricional ayuda a los consumidores a realizar elecciones más saludables, sin embargo, este es poco leído, mal interpretado o no usado. Objetivos: Evaluar la frecuencia y factores asociados a la lectura, uso e interpretación de etiquetas nutricionales en usuarios de gimnasios en la ciudad de Huancayo, Perú. Materiales y métodos: Estudio de corte transversal en 385 usuarios de una cadena de gimnasios. Se midió la interpretación con un test a partir de dos etiquetas, lectura reportada (frecuentemente o no) y el uso reportado para elegir un producto (frecuentemente o no), así como variables demográficas, dietéticas y relacionadas al gimnasio. Se evaluó la asociación calculando las razones de prevalencias ajustadas en base a las variables significativas del modelo bivariado. Resultados: Los participantes tuvieron una edad media de 27,8 + 9,3 años, 44,7% fueron varones, 49,4% contaron con educación universitaria. El 27,5% reporta leer frecuentemente y dentro de estos el 55,7% reporta usarlas frecuentemente, asimismo el 17,4% sabe interpretar. La lectura se asoció con factores dietéticos y de uso de gimnasio y la interpretación con capacitación previa de lectura de la etiqueta. El uso fue principalmente para seleccionar productos bajos en grasa total (65,1%), alto en proteínas (64,2%) y en menor proporción, productos bajo en sodio (47,2%). Conclusiones: La frecuencia de lectura, uso e interpretación de etiquetas nutricionales es baja. La capacitación previa de lectura es un factor necesario para una elección saludable. Es necesario establecer estrategias educativas para enseñar a interpretar en forma adecuada las etiquetas nutricionales. / Introduction: The nutritional labeling helps users to make healthier choices, nevertheless, this is overseen, misunderstood or not used at all. Objectives: To evaluate the frequency and the factors associated with the reading, interpretation and use of nutritional labels by fitness center users in the city of Huancayo, Peru. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 385 users of a fitness center chain. Interpretation was measured by using a test with 2 labels, reported reading (frequently or not) and the reported use to choose a product (frequently or not), as well as demographic, dietetic and fitness-center-related variables. The association was evaluated by calculating the prevalence ratios adjusted based on the significant variables from bivariate model. Results: The participants had an average age of 27,8± 9,3 years, 44,7% were men and 49,4% had college degree. 27,5% report reading frequently and 55,7% of them reports use frecuently, furthermore 17,4% know how to interpret. The reading was associated with dietetic factors and gym use, and interpretation with prior training of reading labeling. The use was mainly high to select low fat products (65,1%), high in protein (64,2%) and was mainly low in low sodium products (47,2%). Conclusions: The reading, use and interpretation frequency of nutritional labels is low. The prior training of reading labeling is a required factor to make healthier choices. It is necessary to establish educative strategies for teaching to interprete the nutrition labels in an adequate way.

This study examined the association between level of physical activity and changes in dietary behaviors of 3,945 employees after a 10-week work-site physical activity program. Fifty-seven percent of the participants met the CDC/ACSM standard for physical activity sufficient for a health benefit. Physical activity was not significantly related to increased fruit and vegetable consumption, decreased dietary fat and calorie intake, and participants acquiring new nutrition skills. Physical activity was negatively associated with increased food label awareness. Participants who exercised sufficient for a health benefit were less likely to increase their food label awareness. Physical activity and dietary behaviors are generally not associated. Interventions to improve these behaviors should be behavior-specific.

Background:                Diseases caused by nutrition-related factors are globally increasing. Consumers can use help making healthier food choices. Nutrition labeling, front-of-pack, in particular, is reviewed as an important policy tool to assist consumers in this matter. Research found that front-of-pack nutrition labeling is influencing consumer’s product choice but no study researched the influence on Millennials while they are the most interesting consumer group of these times due to their large size and increasing power.   Purpose:                  Explore how Front-Of-Package Nutrition Labeling (FOPNL) is influencing Millennials to make healthier food purchasing decisions.   Method:                       To attain the purpose, a qualitative study was conducted. A theoretical framework was created to evaluate excising factors related to FOPNL that are influencing consumer purchasing behaviour. To create in-depth insights on the influence of front-of-package nutrition labeling on Millennials, 18 semi-structured interviews have been conducted.   Conclusion:                 The results show that the influence of FOPNL on Millennials is dependant of the type of label. Currently, the main problem concerning all FOPNL types is the lack of believability of these claims, which makes them less influential on Millennial purchasing behavior. Even though, interpretive nutrient-specific claims are perceived as the most influential FOPNL type. Additionally, the influence varies depending on trial or repeat purchase.

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The National Labeling and Education Act of 1990 (NLEA) mandates that the Food and Drug Administration overhaul existing food labeling regulations and provide the consumer with a standardized, informative food-labeling policy. The intended benefit is the elimination of the confusion currently surrounding food labeling and an improvement in the dietary practices of the American public. The aim of this study was to measure the differences in the food-label reading habits, attitudes, and understanding of low-income women participating in the Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and of women from the general population. All subjects were the primary household food shoppers. In both groups, 90% "almost always" or "sometimes" read a food label. The food label influenced a purchase decision "a great deal" for 47% of the WIC group and 56% of the control group. Of the two groups, a significant number of WIC participants found the food label significantly easier to understand yet scored significantly lower on the test of nutrition knowledge and label understanding than the control group, particularly on the subject of dietary fat. In addition to calories, the WIC group looked for iron, vitamins, calcium, and protein information, while the control group was more interested in fat, sodium, and cholesterol. Both groups relied upon the media, doctors and food labels for nutrition information. This study suggests that the education component of the NLEA must address the nutrition needs of low-income WIC participants (who are pregnant or have small children). This nutritionally at-risk population would greatly benefit from the education portion of the forthcoming labeling reform. / Master of Science

A new, standardized food label developed by the Food and Drug Administration is appearing on products this year. Extensive research on consumer use suggests that approximately 20 % of the U.S. population, composed mainly of elderly and minorities, cannot correctly interpret the nutrition information on the label. This research explored the specific knowledge required for correct interpretation based on a model in which nutrition knowledge was organized in hierarchical levels: food groups, macronutrients and micronutrients in foods, with each level including dimensions of nutrition terminology, health relationships and related mathematics skills. An instrument was developed and pilot tested to measure knowledge at each level, as well as to measure accuracy in food label interpretation. Test items were revised based on peer input, correlational data, item analysis, and reliability. The revised instrument was then administered to purposive samples of adults (250 subjects) representing the range of nutrition knowledge measured by the test. Scores were re-analyzed to establish the validity and reliability of the new instrument. Factor analysis was used to explore the value of the original hierarchical model and to posit an additional model based on conceptual complexity. Hierarchical multiple regression was used to predict accuracy of food label interpretation based on factors depicted by both models. Findings indicated that the structures outlined in each model are useful predictors of food label interpretation, accounting for over 52 percent of the variance. Suggestions are made for further development of the test instrument and on how to incorporate learner pre-assessment in designing nutrition education interventions. / Ed. D.

Diss. (sammanfattning)--Göteborg : University, 2002. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Orientador: Nilton Carlos Machado / Resumo: Introdução. As alergias alimentares são um problema crescente no mundo, e a única maneira de tratar continua sendo a exclusão de alimentos com a proteína implicada. A ANVISA estabeleceu requisitos para a rotulagem dos principais alimentos que causam alergias alimentares. Portanto a leitura dos rótulos dos alimentos embalados deve ser praticada por todo cuidador de crianças alérgicas. Objetivo. Qualificar os rótulos apresentados pelas indústrias de alimentos com base na resolução atual e propor medidas que beneficiem a leitura de rótulos pelo público alérgico. Métodos. Estudo observacional transversal para avaliar a rotulagem de alérgenos de alimentos embalados. No primeiro momento foi realizada uma busca em supermercados de diferentes marcas de gêneros alimentícios. No segundo momento mediante sorteio eletrônico foi obtida amostra para analise, composta do mínimo de 50% de marcas de alimentos embalados de cada gênero alimentício. Posteriormente, foi realizada fotografia digital de cada produto, em todas as suas dimensões (painel principal, laterais e fundos). Os alimentos embalados foram divididos com base nos Grupos da Pirâmide alimentar brasileira. Foram analisados: os ingredientes presentes e as características da rotulagem. Dados apresentados de forma descritiva. A classificação dos rótulos foi apresentada em escore baseado na resolução vigente, gerando pontuação de 0 a 10 aos diferentes alimentos dos Grupos da Pirâmide alimentar brasileira. Resultados. Os alimentos embal... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Introduction. Food allergies are a growing problem worldwide, and the only way to treat them is to exclude foods with the protein involved. ANVISA has established requirements for the labelling of major foods that cause food allergies. Therefore, the reading of packaged food labels should be practiced by all caregivers of allergic children. Aims. Qualify the labels presented by the food industries based on the current resolution and propose measures that benefit the reading of labels by the allergic public. Methods. Cross-sectional observational study to evaluate allergen labelling of packaged foods. At first, a search was done in supermarkets of different brands of foodstuffs. In the second moment, utilizing an electronic draw, a sample was obtained for analysis, composed of at least 50% of packaged food brands of each foodstuff. Subsequently, digital photography of each product was performed, in all its dimensions (main panel, sides and bottoms). The packaged foods were divided based on the Brazilian Food Pyramid Groups. Were analyzed: the present ingredients and the characteristics of the labelling. Data are presented descriptively. The classification of the labels was presented in a score based on the current resolution, generating a score from 0 to 10 to the different foods of the Brazilian Food Pyramid Groups. Results. Packaged foods have quality information, with labeling scores close to the maximum in all groups. Regarding the indication of the presence of allergens: ... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Before making a choice, we often have the opportunity to learn more about the options that are available. For example, we can check the characteristics of a product before buying it, or read different newspapers before a political election. Understanding what shapes the demand for information, and its role in the decision process, is important to study economic choices. This dissertation contains three essays in behavioral and information economics that utilize experimental data and modeling to analyze how people choose and use information to make decisions. The first chapter, "Coarse and Precise Information in Food Labeling," uses experimental data to determine whether precise food labels can be more effective and informative than coarse ones. In a preregistered online study conducted on a representative US sample, I manipulate front-of-package labels about foods' calorie content. I find that coarse-categorical labels generate a larger reduction in calories per serving compared to detailed-numerical labels despite providing less information. Choices violate the predictions of Bayesian decision theory, suggesting that consumers are less responsive to detailed information. Results also show that participants prefer coarse labels, suggesting a general preference for simple, easy-to-interpret information. The second chapter, "The Status Quo and Belief Polarization of Inattentive Agents," studies how differences across agents can drive information acquisition and generate polarization. In a rational inattention model, optimal information acquisition and subsequent belief formation depend crucially on the agent-specific status quo valuation. Beliefs can systematically update away from the realized truth and even agents with the same initial beliefs might become polarized. A laboratory experiment confirms the model's predictions about the information acquisition and its effect on beliefs. Differently from the model's predictions, participants display preferences for simple messages that can provide certainty. The third chapter, "Dynamic Information Choice with Biased Information Sources," uses experimental data to study how people decide what kind of information to acquire when they have multiple opportunities to learn. Standard theory predicts that decision makers should collect the stream of information that leads to the maximization of the expected reward from the final choice. An online experiment on sequential information acquisition shows that people systematically deviate from the predictions of the standard normative model. Participants display a certainty-seeking information acquisition behavior and under-respond to the new evidence collected, reviewing rarely their own information acquisition strategy.