Abstract
Nutrition labeling is a valuable tool in learning how to apply nutrition information and help to food choices. Consumption of processed and packaged food is common in low and middle income countries like Ethiopia. But, the level of knowledge and reading practice of nutrition labeling among supermarket shoppers is not known in the study area. The objective of the study was to assess the knowledge, reading practice and factors associated to nutrition label on packaged food among consumers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 398 respondents were interviewed. The source population for this study was all Addis Ababa consumers who purchase packaged food from supermarkets. The data was entered into EPI data version 3.1, and then exported to statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 22 for data management and analysis. Variable with p value <0.25 during the bivariate logistic regression analysis was entered into multivariate logistic regression analysis. All the 398 participants were responded to the interview (100% response rate). From the total respondents, 203 (51%) were males, 213 (53.5%) were first degree holders, 137 (34.4%) had own business. The mean average monthly income of the head of the house hold was 5,731 (±2,230) Ethiopian birr, greater than half of respondents was less than 5,131 Ethiopian birr earners, 211 (53%) Mean age was 36.41 (±10.7) years, 209 (47.5%) had good knowledge on nutrition labels whereas 178 (44.7%) had good reading practice of nutrition label on packed food. Sex, monthly income, occupation, family size, level of education, partner level education and health status of individual were the factors associated to knowledge on food labeling information. According to this study knowledge and reading practice of nutrition label is low, therefore government should formulate action plans to create awareness on nutrition labeling among the packaged food consumers. The knowledge level and reading practice of nutrition labeling were increased with age, education level and family income.
Highlights
Food label means any material which is printed or affixed to a packing material which provides the necessary information about a food [1,2]
Food labeling is an important tool in packaged food trade and manufacturers of packaged foods if appropriately labels nutrition information; consumers use the information in making informed food choices and improving dietary
After managing for covariates only sex, educational level, monthly income and partner educational level were significantly associated with knowledge on nutrition labeling
Summary
Food label means any material which is printed or affixed to a packing material which provides the necessary information about a food [1,2]. The label on package food should always listed are total fat, total energy, sodium, sugars, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates and protein [2]. Food labeling is an important tool in packaged food trade and manufacturers of packaged foods if appropriately labels nutrition information; consumers use the information in making informed food choices and improving dietary. Nutrition information on food labels could be a cost-effective method of communicating nutrition information to consumers because the information appears at the point of sale for most packaged foods [4]. Nutrition labeling is a valuable tool in learning how to apply nutrition information in a practical way and to provide information on food products to reinforce healthy eating practices and support consumers in their efforts to improve their healthier food choices [5]. As part of comprehensive strategies to improve diets, improving the healthiness of processed foods would, be expected to make a significant contribution to reducing the burden of diet-related non-communicable diseases [6]
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