A high sodium diet is a predominant risk factor for hypertension, which is in turn a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Canadians consume approximately twice the daily Adequate Intake of sodium, most of which comes from processed foods. Enhancing nutrition labelling for sodium in the form of front-of-package (FOP) labels may help consumers select healthier products. This experimental study examined the efficacy of 4 types of FOP nutrition labels on participant selection of low versus high sodium products. 430 adults from the Waterloo Region were randomly assigned to one of 5 experimental conditions: (1) a control condition with no FOP label; (2) a basic numeric FOP label; (3) a numeric FOP label with “high” and “low” sodium content descriptors; (4) a detailed Traffic Light (TL) label with colour coding, content descriptors and numeric information; and (5) a simple TL label that did not include numeric information. Participants were shown pairs of grocery products that varied primarily in sodium content, and asked to select a free product. Selection of the low versus high sodium product served as the primary behavioural outcome; rankings and ratings of the experimental labels were also examined. Regression models were used to determine the relative efficacy of the 4 labelling formats, as well as the socio-demographic and diet and health-related predictors of these outcomes. Results indicated that participants in the FOP conditions with “low” and “high” sodium content descriptors (conditions 3, 4 and 5) were significantly more likely to choose the low sodium product compared to the control group. The detailed TL was ranked as the most effective at helping participants select low sodium products; this label was also rated significantly higher than other formats in liking, understanding and believability. Product selection did not differ significantly across socio-demographic groups, suggesting that FOP labelling might reduce the disparity in the use and understanding of nutrition labels among groups of varying socioeconomic status. This study has important policy implications. Results suggest that FOP labels should include content descriptors, which add prescriptive value and may help consumers select healthier products by improving understanding. TL labels, which incorporate content descriptors and colour coding, are recommended for future FOP labelling initiatives.

A high sodium diet is a predominant risk factor for hypertension, which is in turn a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Canadians consume approximately twice the daily Adequate Intake of sodium, most of which comes from processed foods. Enhancing nutrition labelling for sodium in the form of front-of-package (FOP) labels may help consumers select healthier products. This experimental study examined the efficacy of 4 types of FOP nutrition labels on participant selection of low versus high sodium products. 430 adults from the Waterloo Region were randomly assigned to one of 5 experimental conditions: (1) a control condition with no FOP label; (2) a basic numeric FOP label; (3) a numeric FOP label with “high” and “low” sodium content descriptors; (4) a detailed Traffic Light (TL) label with colour coding, content descriptors and numeric information; and (5) a simple TL label that did not include numeric information. Participants were shown pairs of grocery products that varied primarily in sodium content, and asked to select a free product. Selection of the low versus high sodium product served as the primary behavioural outcome; rankings and ratings of the experimental labels were also examined. Regression models were used to determine the relative efficacy of the 4 labelling formats, as well as the socio-demographic and diet and health-related predictors of these outcomes. Results indicated that participants in the FOP conditions with “low” and “high” sodium content descriptors (conditions 3, 4 and 5) were significantly more likely to choose the low sodium product compared to the control group. The detailed TL was ranked as the most effective at helping participants select low sodium products; this label was also rated significantly higher than other formats in liking, understanding and believability. Product selection did not differ significantly across socio-demographic groups, suggesting that FOP labelling might reduce the disparity in the use and understanding of nutrition labels among groups of varying socioeconomic status. This study has important policy implications. Results suggest that FOP labels should include content descriptors, which add prescriptive value and may help consumers select healthier products by improving understanding. TL labels, which incorporate content descriptors and colour coding, are recommended for future FOP labelling initiatives.

Childhood obesity is a major public health issue. Canada has one of the highest childhood obesity rates in the world. Food advertising and marketing have contributed to the rapid rise in childhood obesity. High energy and low nutrient foods have been promoted directly to children through attractive imagery on packages, including the use of popular cartoon characters. Children’s food packaging also features a range of nutrition information targeted at parents, including nutrition claims; however, there is relatively little research on the impact of these nutrition claims and the extent to which they may interact with child-friendly imagery to influence parents’ perception of food quality. The current study used a 2 x 2 experimental design to examine the effect of four front-of-package (FOP) nutrition information and four cartoon characters on parental perceptions of children’s food products. Participants consisted of 897 parents recruited across Canada through GMI, a market research company. Participants were over 18, had at least one child between ages 4-10 and the primary shopper of their household. Participants completed an online survey in July 2011. Participants were shown images of food products with or without cartoon characters and with or without FOP nutrition information and were asked to rate the food product on appeal, nutritional quality, intention to buy and willingness to pay. Participants were also asked to rate the FOP nutrition information on believability, ease of understanding and perceived effectiveness. Linear mixed modelling examined the influence of cartoon characters, FOP nutrition information and socio-demographic factors on these outcomes. Results indicated that cartoon characters increased product appeal and FOP nutrition information increased the perceived nutritional quality of food products with low nutritional value. No significant differences were observed for intention to buy or willingness to pay. There was no consistent pattern between socio-demographic factors and product rating outcomes. For FOP nutrition information ratings, Health Check and Source of Fibre were rated more believable, easier to understand and more effective overall than Sensible Solution and Given the Thumbs Up by Kids. Overall, the findings indicate that cartoon characters can increase the perceived appeal and FOP nutrition information can increase the perceived nutritional quality of food products with low nutritional value.

Childhood obesity is a major public health issue. Canada has one of the highest childhood obesity rates in the world. Food advertising and marketing have contributed to the rapid rise in childhood obesity. High energy and low nutrient foods have been promoted directly to children through attractive imagery on packages, including the use of popular cartoon characters. Children’s food packaging also features a range of nutrition information targeted at parents, including nutrition claims; however, there is relatively little research on the impact of these nutrition claims and the extent to which they may interact with child-friendly imagery to influence parents’ perception of food quality. The current study used a 2 x 2 experimental design to examine the effect of four front-of-package (FOP) nutrition information and four cartoon characters on parental perceptions of children’s food products. Participants consisted of 897 parents recruited across Canada through GMI, a market research company. Participants were over 18, had at least one child between ages 4-10 and the primary shopper of their household. Participants completed an online survey in July 2011. Participants were shown images of food products with or without cartoon characters and with or without FOP nutrition information and were asked to rate the food product on appeal, nutritional quality, intention to buy and willingness to pay. Participants were also asked to rate the FOP nutrition information on believability, ease of understanding and perceived effectiveness. Linear mixed modelling examined the influence of cartoon characters, FOP nutrition information and socio-demographic factors on these outcomes. Results indicated that cartoon characters increased product appeal and FOP nutrition information increased the perceived nutritional quality of food products with low nutritional value. No significant differences were observed for intention to buy or willingness to pay. There was no consistent pattern between socio-demographic factors and product rating outcomes. For FOP nutrition information ratings, Health Check and Source of Fibre were rated more believable, easier to understand and more effective overall than Sensible Solution and Given the Thumbs Up by Kids. Overall, the findings indicate that cartoon characters can increase the perceived appeal and FOP nutrition information can increase the perceived nutritional quality of food products with low nutritional value.

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.

Bakgrund: Livsmedelsmärkningar på framsidan av livsmedelsförpackningar kan vägleda konsumenter att välja mer hälsosamma produkter, och därigenom bidra till bättre folkhälsa. Märkningar kan också ge information om en produkt är bra för klimatet, ekologisk eller etiskt producerad. Det finns många olika märkningar som alla har sina egna kriterier för hur de får användas, och märkningarna är dessutom olika över landsgränserna. Syftet: Studiens syfte var att undersöka konsumenters användande och kännedom kring livsmedelsmärkningar och vilka val det leder till, samt jämföra om det var någon skillnad i användandet mellan olika åldersgrupper, kön eller hur ofta personer handlar.  Metod: En kvantitativ metod valdes för undersökningen och en digital enkät skickades ut via författarnas sociala medier. Under de sju dagar enkäten var publicerad svarade 111 personer. Data hanterades i Excel och SPSS. För att undersöka vilka skillnader som fanns mellan olika åldersgrupper, kön och frekvensen i hur ofta personer handlade användes Mann-Whitney U-test. Signifikansnivån sattes till p <0,05. Enkätens öppna frågor analyserades med inspiration av tematisk analys.  Resultat: Det var ingen signifikant skillnad mellan olika åldersgrupper eller frekvensen på handlandet när det kom till kännedom om livsmedelsmärkningar och hur deltagarna valde produkt utifrån märkning. Det var heller ingen skillnad på frågan om det är viktigt med livsmedelsmärkningar. Det fanns signifikanta skillnader mellan könen. Kvinnor hade bättre kännedom om märkning som indikerar på att produkten är bra för hälsan (p=0,025). Vidare valde kvinnor i högre utsträckning produkter som hade märkning som visade att produkten var klimatsmart (p=0,001), bra för hälsan (p=0,001) samt inte innehåller en viss allergen (p=0,011).  Slutsats: Både män och kvinnor använder sig av livsmedelsmärkningar även om kvinnor gör det i högre grad. Mer forskning behövs för att kunna avgöra exakt vad konsumenter efterfrågar i en livsmedelsmärkning och den forskningen kan hjälpa både livsmedelsproducenter och myndigheter i sitt arbete framåt. / Background: Front-of-package food labels could guide consumers to choose healthier products and, therefore, contribute to better public health. Food labels can also give information about if a product is good for the environment, organic, or ethically produced. There are many different food labels, all with their own criteria for usage and there are also different labels between countries.  Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate consumers knowledge about front-of-package food labels and how they use it to make decisions at the grocery store and also if there is a difference between different age groups, genders, or frequency in grocery shopping. Method: A quantitative method was selected for the study and a digital survey was sent out through the authors social media channels. During a period of seven consecutive days 111 people participated. The data was handled in Excel and SPSS. The statistical test Mann-Whitney U-test was used with p<0.05 to examine the differences between age groups, gender, and frequency. The open questions were analyzed with inspiration from a thematic analysis. Result: There was no statistical difference between age groups or how often people went grocery shopping when it came to knowledge about front-of-package food labels and how the respondents chose the products. There was also no difference when asked if front-of-package food labels are important. There was a statistical difference regarding gender where women had a better knowledge about labeling indicating that a product is healthier (p=0.025). The women also chose products that had a label that showed that the product was environmentally friendly (p=0.001), healthy (p=0.001), or containing allergens (p=0.011).  Conclusion: Consumers use front-of-package food labels and women are using them to a higher extent than men. More research is needed to conclude what the consumers actually ask for in a front-of-package food label and that research could help both food producers and governments.

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Traditional students enroll in post-secondary institutions during emerging adulthood. College enrollment is increasing and adult weight gain occurs most rapidly during the college-age years, with poor food decisions as a potential contributing factor. The present study examined the awareness, perception, and self-reported purchasing behaviors of college students regarding four front-of-package (FOP) nutrition labeling systems and symbols. Students were sent a 24-question web-based survey, with 908 completed surveys that met the research criteria. There were 888 (98.3%) respondents who recognized at least one of the four presented FOP nutrition labels. There were no significant differences between the groups that recognized one to four of the FOP nutrition labels in their stated likelihood to purchase foods with the specified labels. Students’ awareness of four commercial FOP nutrition labeling systems and symbols on product packaging did not have an impact on their food purchasing behaviors.