Online Program

284026
Comparing front-of-package food labeling systems


Monday, November 4, 2013 : 10:30 a.m. - 10:50 a.m.

Christina Roberto, PhD, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard School of Public Health, Cambridge, MA
Marie Bragg, MS, MPhil, Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity, Yale University, New Haven, CT
Aviva Musicus, Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity, Yale University, New Haven, CT
Dan Graham, PhD, Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
Paul Werth, MS, Harvard School of Public Health, Cambridge, MA
Brian Elbel, PhD, MPH, NYU School of Medicine and NYU Wagner School of Public Service, New York University, New York, NY
Introduction: Many different front-of-package (FOP) and shelf-tag labeling systems are in use worldwide, but it remains unclear which labeling strategies are most effective at communicating information to consumers. This study aimed to examine five different FOP labeling systems and determine which one is most likely to 1) promote quick and accurate understanding of the nutritional profiles of packaged foods; and 2) influence consumer intent to purchase healthier products.

Methods: 600 adult participants were recruited for an online study and randomized to one of the following six FOP label conditions: 1) no label; 2) a multiple traffic light; 3) a single traffic light; 4) a food industry label; 5) a third party supermarket shelf-tag label; or 6) a 0-3 point star symbol (proposed in the IOM report on FOP labeling). The primary study outcomes include the healthfulness of products chosen in a shopping task, the accuracy of identifying the healthier of two food products and estimating amounts of saturated fat, sugar, sodium, fiber and protein in foods, and the amount of time taken to make nutritional judgments. Consumer perceptions of health, taste, and purchase intent will also be compared.

Results: Results of ANOVA analyses comparing differences in the primary outcome measures among FOP groups will be presented.

Conclusions: The results from this study can inform national and international policy efforts to recommend and/or implement a uniform, FOP labeling system on food products.

Learning Areas:

Advocacy for health and health education
Communication and informatics
Protection of the public in relation to communicable diseases including prevention or control
Public health or related laws, regulations, standards, or guidelines
Public health or related public policy
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Identify the front-of-package labeling systems most likely to 1) promote quick and accurate understanding of the nutritional profiles of packaged foods; and 2) influence consumer intent to purchase healthier products. Compare the strengths and weaknesses of different front-of-package food labeling systems.

Keyword(s): Nutrition, Obesity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the lead author on multiple publications on front-of-package (FOP) food labeling. I have also presented to the IOM committee on this topic and have received an RWJF grant to study FOP food labeling. In addition, I have been a PI and a co-investigator of grants to study menu labeling and have been the lead author and a co-author on multiple studies of menu labeling. Finally, I have conducted related research on food marketing.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.