A new research by the University of Surrey has revealed that front labelling on food packaging can be more effective in persuading consumers to make healthier food choices.
The research was recently published in the British Journal of Nutrition.
A team of researchers analysed data from almost 2,068 adult consumers from the United Kingdom, Germany, Poland and Turkey. These consumers were presented with options to choose from three food categories - pizza, yoghurt and biscuits.
As a part of the study, the researchers focused on the effect of printing a basic front of package label displaying only values for energy and the four key risk nutrients - sugar, fat, saturated fat and salt along with four other systems including Guideline Daily Amounts, traffic-light colours, a hybrid version of Guideline Daily Amounts and traffic-light colours and a health logo.
After the experiment, the researchers concluded that in all three food categories, the labelling system helped the consumers to differentiate between the healthiest, middle and least healthy varieties.
The researchers were of the opinion that the addition of traffic-light colours, Guideline Daily Amounts or health logos to basic nutrient information may have a greater impact in real-world settings and that there was a necessity for further research to establish the potential of the labelling to change shopping behaviour.
Professor Monique Raats from the University of Surrey who led the research said: "Front of package food labelling is an important tool in helping consumers to make healthier choices and to encourage the industry to provide healthier foods."
Several other recent studies including a study in the US published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine proved that implementing traffic light labelling helped in reducing the sales of 'red' foods and red beverages by 4% and 7%, respectively.
At the same time, this change led to an increase of sales of green foods and beverages by 5% and 8%, respectively.
Image: The research saw a participation of 2,068 adult consumers from the United Kingdom, Germany, Poland and Turkey. Photo: courtesy of University of Surrey.
