Brazilian Consumers' Perception towards Food Labeling Models Accompanying Self-Service Foods.

Nariéli Felipetto,Viviani Ruffo De Oliveira,Verônica Cortez Ginani,Ana Lúcia De Freitas Saccol,Patrícia Arruda Scheffer,Karen Mello De Mattos Margutti,Cátia Regina Storck,Joice Trindade Silveira,Elizabete Helbig,Clandio Timm Marques

doi:10.3390/foods11060838

Abstract

The study aimed to evaluate consumers’ perception of self-service foods’ nutrition labels. This qualitative and quantitative assessment was performed with potential consumers at food services. Four food labeling formats, traditional, simplified, traffic-light, and warning, were proposed to evaluate three types of sandwiches: simple, chicken, and hamburger. Data were collected via an online survey from April to May 2020. The study included 413 subjects. The respondents preferred the traffic-light format, but there was a good understanding and acceptability of all four models. The traffic-light and warning nutrition labeling models, which showed health warnings, led to a reduction in the choice of the Simple Sandwich and the Hamburger. Most respondents (96.1%, n = 397) agreed that it is necessary to complement the information on food labels with ingredients and the number of calories per serving. Therefore, it is essential to have legislation regulating such issues. Consumers’ choices improved with the increase in the information placed on the products. This research demonstrated that nutrition labels explain what exists currently and that consumers require such information. Thus, food labeling may positively influence consumers’ choices.

Highlights

Cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes, and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) were responsible for 71% (41 million) of the 57 million deaths globally in 2016.without distinction among population groups, NCDs are a cause of death in younger populations, corresponding to 75% of premature deaths in adults
The results revealed that the nutrition information panel displayed in time, the Public Federal Ministry and fast-food chain members of the National Restaurant food services has high technical complexity
The food labeling models tested in this study present distinct levels of information, and there is a variation in the nutritional quality of the sandwiches (Figure 2)

Summary

Introduction

Cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes, and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) were responsible for 71% (41 million) of the 57 million deaths globally in 2016. Without distinction among population groups, NCDs are a cause of death in younger populations, corresponding to 75% of premature deaths in adults (occurring in the age group 30 to 69 years). In Brazil, the data follow the rest of the world. Most deaths occur due to NCDs (70%). Among the NCDs, obesity has increased by 67.8% in the last thirteen years, from 11.8% in 2006 to 19.8% in 2018 [1]. In 2017, Brazil was the country with the fourth highest number of people with diabetes (20 to 79 years), reaching about

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion