The Impact of Nutrition Labels on Food Sales: An In-Store Experiment in a Turkish Supermarket

2016 ◽  
pp. 207-228
Author(s):  
Sedef Akgungor ◽  
Andrea Groppel-Klein ◽  
Joerg Koenigstorfer ◽  
Yaprak Gulcan ◽  
Yesim Kustepeli
2018 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ossama Elshiewy ◽  
Yasemin Boztug

Back-of-package (BOP) nutrition information appears ineffective against increasing obesity rates. Therefore, federal agencies increasingly promote front-of-package (FOP) nutrition labels. Despite the public attention the topic has received in recent years, research is still short of evidence about the effectiveness of FOP nutrition labels in real-life settings. To add to extant literature, this study uses individual-level purchase data to analyze the impact of adding simplified FOP nutrition labels when BOP information is already available. Consumers reduced the number of calories contained in their purchases for products that started carrying a simplified FOP nutrition label. Furthermore, results show a long-term (short-term) decrease in price (promotion) sensitivity for these products after label introduction. These findings suggest that simplified FOP nutrition labels can induce healthier purchases in supermarkets compared with when only BOP nutrition information is available.


2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 104-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ossama Elshiewy ◽  
Steffen Jahn ◽  
Yasemin Boztug

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
pp. 2126-2134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert P Hamlin ◽  
Lisa S McNeill ◽  
Vanessa Moore

AbstractObjectiveThe present research was an experimental test that aimed to quantify the impact of two dominant front-of-pack (FOP) nutritional label formats on consumer evaluations of food products that carried them. The two FOP label types tested were the traffic light label and the Percentage Daily Intake.DesignA 4×5 partially replicated Latin square design was used that allowed the impact of the FOP labels to be isolated from the effects of the product and the consumers who were performing the evaluations.SettingThe experiment was conducted on campus at the University of Otago, New Zealand.SubjectsThe participants were 250 university students selected at random who met qualifying criteria of independent living and regular purchase of the products used in the research. They were not aware of the purpose of the research.ResultsThe presence of FOP labels led to significant and positive changes in consumer purchase intentions towards the products that carried them. These changes were not affected by the nature of FOP labels used, their size or the product nutritional status (good/bad) that they were reporting.ConclusionsThe result is consistent with the participants paying attention to the FOP label and then using it as an adimensional cue indicating product desirability. As such, it represents a complete functional failure of both of these FOP label types in this specific instance. This result supports calls for further research on the performance of these FOP labels before any move to compulsory deployment is made.


2012 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 255-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lydia Oberholtzer ◽  
Carolyn Dimitri ◽  
Edward C. Jaenicke

AbstractOver the past decade, organic food sales and farmland have grown rapidly worldwide. As the US market for organic food has expanded, anecdotal evidence indicates that imports of organic food have increased. US organic handlers may be importing to meet consumer demand for out-of-season products, as well as products not grown domestically. Handlers may also be importing organic products that are in short supply or to reduce input costs. This paper provides the first examination of imports of organic products into the USA. Data from a national survey of certified organic handlers in 2007 are used to examine the extent, types and origins of imported organic commodities. A Heckman model is employed to investigate the factors that influence an organic handler's decision to import organic products, and the level at which organic handlers import a product. Summary results show that while many of the products being imported into the USA are those that cannot be produced domestically, such as coffee and tropical fruits, some oft-imported commodities are those that can be produced in the USA, such as soybeans, wheat, barley and berries. The summary results also show that organic handlers are procuring almost a half of their imported products from a few countries, including Canada, China, Mexico, Brazil and Indonesia. In the econometric analysis, we found those handlers prioritizing local suppliers negatively affected the facility's decision to import products. The use of a social label, such as Fair Trade, positively affected a handler's decision to import. The size of organic sales was important to both the decision to import and the share imported, with larger firms more likely to import and smaller firms less likely to import. However, once a smaller firm had decided to import, they imported a larger share. Finally, our analysis found that experiencing limited supplies or prioritizing price with suppliers did not influence a handler's decision to import products. Based on the findings, we suggest future research avenues, including studies that address consumer preferences and the impact of increased imports on domestic organic farms.


2019 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 870-887 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chen Zhen ◽  
Xiaoyong Zheng

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (12) ◽  
pp. 2135-2148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary J Christoph ◽  
Ruopeng An ◽  
Brenna Ellison

AbstractObjectiveNutrition labels are an essential source for consumers to obtain nutrition-related information on food products and serve as a population-level intervention with unparalleled reach. The present study systematically reviewed existing evidence on the correlates of nutrition label use among college students and young adults.DesignKeyword and reference searches were conducted in PubMed, EBSCO, PsycInfo, Cochrane Library and Web of Science. Inclusion criteria included: study design (randomized controlled trial, cohort study, pre–post study or cross-sectional study); population (college students and young adults 18–30 years old); main outcome (nutrition label use); article type (peer-reviewed publication); and language (English).SettingCollege/university.SubjectsCollege students and young adults.ResultsSixteen studies based on data from college surveys in four countries (USA, UK, Canada, South Korea) were identified from keyword and reference search. Reported prevalence of nutrition label use varied substantially across studies; a weighted average calculation showed 36·5 % of college students and young adults reported using labels always or often. Females were more likely to use nutrition labels than males. Nutrition label use was found to be associated with attitudes towards healthy diet, beliefs on the importance of nutrition labels in guiding food selection, self-efficacy, and nutrition knowledge and education.ConclusionsThe impact of nutrition labelling on food purchase and intake could differ by population subgroups. Nutrition awareness campaigns and education programmes may be important mechanisms for promoting nutrition label use among college students and young adults. Future research is warranted to assess the role of label use on improved dietary decisions.


2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Cawley ◽  
Matthew J Sweeney ◽  
Jeffery Sobal ◽  
David R Just ◽  
Harry M Kaiser ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveThe current study examines the impact of a nutrition rating system on consumers’ food purchases in supermarkets.DesignAggregate sales data for 102 categories of food (over 60 000 brands) on a weekly basis for 2005–2007 from a supermarket chain of over 150 stores are analysed. Change in weekly sales of nutritious and less nutritious foods, after the introduction of a nutrition rating system on store shelves, is calculated, controlling for seasonality and time trends in sales.SettingOne hundred and sixty-eight supermarket stores in the north-east USA, from January 2005 to December 2007.SubjectsConsumers purchasing goods at the supermarket chain during the study period.ResultsAfter the introduction of the nutrition ratings, overall weekly food sales declined by an average of 3637 units per category (95 % CI –5961, –1313;P<0·01). Sales of less nutritious foods fell by 8·31 % (95 % CI –13·50, –2·80 %;P=0·004), while sales of nutritious foods did not change significantly (P=0·21); as a result, the percentage of food purchases rated as nutritious rose by 1·39 % (95 % CI 0·58, 2·20 %;P<0·01). The decrease in sales of less nutritious foods was greatest in the categories of canned meat and fish, soda pop, bakery and canned vegetables.ConclusionsThe introduction of the nutrition ratings led shoppers to buy a more nutritious mix of products. Interestingly, it did so by reducing purchases of less nutritious foods rather than by increasing purchases of nutritious foods. In evaluating nutrition information systems, researchers should focus on the entire market basket, not just sales of nutritious foods.


2015 ◽  
Vol 74 (2) ◽  
pp. 158-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maeve A. Kerr ◽  
Mary T. McCann ◽  
M. Barbara E. Livingstone

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.


Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1432 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sally Moore ◽  
Judy Donnelly ◽  
Steve Jones ◽  
Janet Cade

The potential for nutrition labels to impact on population health is dependent on consumer ability to understand and use this information. Consumer understanding of this information varies across sociodemographic groups and with different label design formats. Labeling legislation requires consumer education on how to use nutrition labels, and recent mandatory changes to the Nutrition Facts Panel (NFP) are underway to improve comprehensibility. This review aimed to evaluate if educational programs can improve understanding and use of nutrition labels. Database searches were performed to identify interventions which delivered education on nutrition labels with outcomes measuring aspects of comprehension or use. A total of 17 studies were selected for review, including nine randomized and eight cohort studies. The majority of studies were conducted in the United States Study participants included school aged children, older adults, and those with diabetes within a range of intervention types involving taught sessions or web-based education. Whilst outcome measures were heterogenous, all studies reported a statistically significant improvement in one or more outcomes of participant understanding or use of nutrition labels. Aspects such as general nutrition knowledge, health literacy, and program delivery format warrant attention in future research. Education which optimizes comprehension and use of nutrition labels may have the potential to improve the impact of this information on dietary health.


Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 906 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Hamlin ◽  
Lisa McNeill

Front-of-pack (FoP) nutrition labels are a widely deployed tool in public good marketing. This article reports on a field experimental test of the impact of one of these systems, the Australasian Health Star Rating system (HSR), on consumer choice in the breakfast cereals category in New Zealand. This study forms part of a time-series replication stream of research on this topic. The research applied a 2 × 2 factorial design with multiple replications to retail food consumers exiting from supermarkets in New Zealand. The first part of the time series, undertaken shortly after the HSR’s initiation in 2014, indicated that the HSR was ineffective. Between 2014 and 2016, commercial brands in the category within New Zealand massively promoted the HSR as a basis for consumer choice. The research presented in this article forms part of the second part of the series, undertaken in 2016, using an identical experimental methodology to the 2014 study. The results indicate that the HSR may be beginning to influence consumer choice as it was predicted to, but the impact of the system is still small, and statistically sub-significant, relative to other consumer decision inputs presented on the package.


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