Capacity analysis of health food choice by reference to consumers in two models of nutritional labeling; crossover study

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare two models of nutrition labeling front-of-pack, in reference to the ability of consumers to choose a diet closer to nutritional recommendations. Randomized crossover design in 32 adults (18-65 years) of both sexes. Participants were randomly exposed to two experimental conditions using nutritional traffic light system (S-SN) or monochrome system (SM). Participants had to choose options from a closed menu for five days on the basis of the experimental front-of-pack labelling. For each meal, three food options with different nutritional compositions were given to the participants. The total energy and fat, saturated fat, sugar and salt of the chosen options were calculated. No significant differences at baseline sociodemographic and anthropometric characteristics were shown between individuals regardless of the experimental condition in which they started. The subjects tended to choose a diet with a lower, but not significant energy content of 23.0 ± 67.5 (P = 0.063) and a significantly lower sugar content of 3.5 ± 9.2 g, P < 0.001 and 0.6 ± 1 g, P < 0.003 for salt. Compared to the to the monochrome system, the multiple traffic-light system probably can help make food choices with less sugar and salt in a situation similar to the usual purchase in which there is a time limitation.