Formatting Food Labels for Safety and Health

Abstract

Being able to locate the list of ingredients on a food product label can be important for consumers’ health and safety. However, the arrangements of components on food labels could make it difficult to find the ingredients. This study examines whether the relative physical placement of the list of ingredients affects the time it takes for users to locate it. The location of the list of ingredients was varied on a food product label. The results suggest that the list of ingredients is found faster when it is located in the upper portions of a food label and closer to the nutrition facts panel than other locations on the label. Implications for improving food label safety are discussed.