Front-of-package Research Articles

Healthiness of Meat-Based Products in Comparison to Their Plant-Based Alternatives in the UK Market: A Packaging Evaluation

This study evaluated the healthiness of meat products (n = 62) and their plant-based (PB) counterparts (n = 62) available in the UK market. Back-of-pack (BoP) and front-of-pack (FoP) nutrition label information, nutrition and health claims, and nutrient profiling model scores were compared. BoP labels revealed that meat products had higher protein, fat, and saturated fat content (p = 0.029), whilst PB alternatives were higher in dietary fibre and carbohydrates (p < 0.001). Red colour coding (FoP) for fat and saturated fat (‘high’) was more prominent in meat products (23 and 35%, respectively), and the red meat category had the most products with high fat and saturated fat content. Only 15% of meat products made nutrition claims compared to 40% of PB alternatives, and none included health claims. Most red meat PB alternatives made a nutrition claim, all related to the protein content (34%). The nutrient profiling model indicated that 74% of the PB alternatives were ‘healthy’ compared to 60% of the meat products. No association was found between the product type (meat/PB) and healthiness, except for the red meat products, which showed a significant negative association (p = 0.005), suggesting that these products corresponded to less healthy options. Therefore, PB alternatives can be considered as healthier substitutes for meat products.

The impact of the health star rating front-of-packaging label on preferences for food products

PurposeThe Health Star Rating (HSR) is a front-of-pack labeling system that helps consumers understand the nutritional values of foods. In this study, we examined the effects of the presence (vs. absence) of an HSR label on consumer choice behavior and perception of healthiness.Design/methodology/approachIn an experimental study, we tested if the presence (vs. absence) of an HSR label provides a competitive advantage over a rival product that lacks the label, influencing purchase intentions. Participants were asked to choose among two competing products, with and without the labels, in a full factorial design.FindingsResults showed that products with an HSR label had a competitive advantage over the rival products that did not have the label. Moreover, this effect emerged more strongly for some products than others. Thus, while front-of-pack (FOP) labels can enhance sales, their impact may vary based on the specific product or brand.Originality/valueThis paper offers novel insights into the implications of HSR labels for consumer behavior and marketing strategies, particularly in the context of their potential use as a marketing tool by companies to boost sales in the food industry.

Evaluating Health Canada’s Proposed Front-of-Pack Labelling Policy: Burden of Healthcare Use Attributed to Health Canada’s Proposed Front-of-Pack Labelling Policy

The economic burden of disease due to consumption of poor diet costs billions of dollars annually to the Canadian healthcare system. This project is in response to the growing interest in the use of nutrient profiling systems on front-of-package (FOP) nutrition labels in Canada. There is a high demand for simplified healthy eating messaging. Health Canada announced improving food environments is a priority in the Healthy Eating Strategy and will implement the mandatory FOP label policy in 2026. Two Ontario-based studies examined the impacts of health behaviors (smoking, alcohol consumption, poor diet and physical inactivity) attributed to hospital bed-days and costs. They found 36% of hospital use was attributable to all health behaviours resulting in 900,000 bed-days annually. Between 2004-2013, 22% of healthcare costs totalling $89.4 billion were attributable to the four health behaviours. These are likely underestimates as diet was measured based on fruit/vegetables frequency. The objective is to evaluate Health Canada’s Proposed FOP policy on hospital bed-days. Detailed dietary data from the nationally representative cross-sectional national survey data Canadian Community Heath Survey-Nutrition 2004 linked to Discharge Abstract Database (2004-14) for hospital use will be used for analysis. Data-driven methodology will be employed and development of multivariable risk models using zero-inflated negative binomial regression with multiple exposure groups to test a dose-response. Results are undergoing, will be ready September 2024. This is the first study to analyze Health Canada’s proposed FOP policy related to economic outcomes. These findings will provide evidence-based recommendations to policymakers on nutrition policy.

Are all-encompassing better than one-trait sustainable labels? The influence of Eco-Score and organic labels on food perception and willingness to pay

Front-of-Package (FOP) labels have been used to inform consumers about the nutritional quality, specific attributes, and, more recently, the sustainability impact of food products. For nutritional labels, there is evidence that all-encompassing labels providing a summary score of a product's nutritional quality are effective in influencing consumer behavior, however less is known about the impact of sustainable labels. This research compares an all-encompassing sustainable label summarizing several sustainable product's features into one score, to a one-trait sustainable label focusing on one sustainable attribute. Two controlled online experiments compare an all-encompassing label (i.e., Eco-Score) to a one-trait label (i.e., organic label) and test how their presence influences consumers' willingness to pay. Study 1 (N = 290) shows that a positive all-encompassing sustainable label (Eco-Score B) does not result in a greater willingness to pay for a box of cereal when compared to no label, and to a one-trait sustainable label (organic), even though the Eco-Score incorporates the product's organic attribute in its assessment. Study 2 (N = 577) shows that consumers were willing to pay less for a product featuring an all-encompassing positive Eco-Score label, compared to the same product with an organic label. It also tests a mechanism behind this effect related to the perceived benefits evoked by the label: while the Eco-Score is perceived as only providing environmental benefits, the organic label also provides more concrete health benefits (i.e., it is good for one's health). Implications for public policy are discussed.

How can advocates leverage power to advance comprehensive regulation on ultra-processed foods? learning from advocate experience in Argentina

BackgroundThe use of corporate power to undermine public health policy processes is increasingly well understood; however, relatively little scholarship examines how advocates can leverage power to promote the successful adoption of public health policies. The objective of this paper is to explore how advocates leveraged three forms of power – structural, instrumental and discursive – to promote the passage of the Promotion of Healthy Eating Law (Ley 27,642) in Argentina, one of the most comprehensive policies to introduce mandatory front-of-package (FOP) warning labels and regulate the marketing and sales of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) adopted to date.MethodsWe conducted seventeen semi-structured interviews with advocates from different sectors, including civil society, international agencies, and government. Both data collection and analysis were guided by Milsom’s conceptual framework for analyzing power in public health policymaking, and the data was analyzed using hybrid deductive and inductive thematic analysis.ResultsAdvocates harnessed structural power through the leveraging of revolving doors, informal alliances, and formal coalitions, enabling them to convene discussion spaces with decision-makers, make strategic use of limited resources, and cultivate the diverse expertise (e.g., research, nutrition science, advocacy, law, political science, activism and communications) needed to support the law through different phases of the policy process. Advocates wielded instrumental power by amassing an armada of localized evidence to promote robust policy design, building technical literacy amongst themselves and decision-makers, and exposing conflicts of interest to harness public pressure. Advocates exercised discursive power by adopting a rights-based discourse, including of children and adolescents and of consumers to transparent information, which enabled advocates to foster a favorable perception of the law amongst both decision-makers and the public. Key contextual enablers include a political window of opportunity, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the ability to learn from the regional precedent of similar policies.ConclusionsPublic health policymaking, particularly when encroaching upon corporate interests, is characterized by stark imbalances of power that hinder policy decisions. The strategies identified in the case of Argentina provide important insights as to how advocates might harness and exercise structural, instrumental, and discursive power to counter corporate influence and promote the successful adoption of comprehensive UPF regulation.

Impact of Five Types of Front-of-Package Nutrition Labels on Consumer Behavior among Young Adults: A Systematic Review.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that governments promote and implement front-of-package (FoP) nutrition labels to prevent noncommunicable diseases. Recently, additional research has focused on various views on FoP label creation. However, few review studies have examined how different FoP labels affect young consumer behavior. Therefore, this study thoroughly analyzed the evidence on how FoP labels in five categories affect young consumer purchasing intention and behavior. We searched for keywords in the Web of Science, Scopus, and EBSCO databases and screened study samples according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Fourteen studies that matched the criteria were included in this review. We discovered that numerous studies support the efficacy of the "graded indicators" category labels, with the "color-coded" and "positive logos" categories trailing closely behind. The effectiveness of the "warning" FoP label category is mixed on consumers' healthy purchasing behavior and intention. The numerical FoP labels were most commonly used to indicate ineffectiveness. Future studies should investigate the effects of FoP labels on various subpopulations and conduct thorough evaluations of the design elements of FoP labels. Also, they should offer evidence-based recommendations, supported by both quantitative and qualitative data, for regions that have not yet implemented FoP labeling systems.

A content analysis of nicotine descriptors on the front of vape packaging in the United Kingdom.

The Tobacco and Related Products Regulations (TRPR) 2016 require consumers in the United Kingdom (UK) to be informed about the presence of nicotine in vaping products. However, there is misunderstanding among some young people and adults around the strength of products. We examined how nicotine content is displayed on the front of vape packaging in the UK. Between August and December 2022, we systematically analysed a representative, stratified selection of vapes and refill packs (n=156) on the UK market to assess TRPR compliance. This paper presents an analysis of free-text responses collected to indicate the presence of nicotine information on the front-of-pack including metric, percentage, graphic, and text indicators. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics produced for the sample as a whole and for five product categories. Most packs (n=126, 81%) displayed at least one front-of-pack nicotine descriptor, including the majority of disposables (n=43, 90%), e-liquid (n=42, 88%) and refill pods (n=36, 100%). Many packs (n=107, 69%) contained a nicotine-related metric (e.g. mg/ml), a quarter (n=37, 24%) included a percentage indicator and most (n=126, 81%) displayed at least one of these. Almost two-fifths (n=57, 37%) mentioned nicotine beyond the warning. Less observed indicators included graphic and textual depictions of strength, dosage information, and equivalent number of cigarettes. The front of vape packaging communicates important product information to consumers. There is inconsistency in how nicotine content is currently displayed. Future research should examine how best to display nicotine content to promote consumer understanding and informed decision-making. This pack analysis of a representative sample of UK vape packaging highlights the varied way in which nicotine content and strength is currently communicated to consumers on the front of vape packaging. The inconsistent presentation of nicotine content on the front of packs may contribute to misperceptions around product strength. A consistent and easily understood way of communicating nicotine content on the front of vape packaging may help consumers make more informed choices about vape products.

Innovative AI methods for monitoring front-of-package information: A case study on infant foods.

Front-of-package (FOP) is one of the most direct communication channels connecting manufacturers and consumers, as it displays crucial information such as certification, nutrition, and health. Traditional methods for obtaining information from FOPs often involved manual collection and analysis. To overcome these labor-intensive characteristics, new methods using two artificial intelligence (AI) approaches were applied for information monitoring of FOPs. In order to provide practical implementations, a case study was conducted on infant food products. First, FOP images were collected from Amazon.com. Then, from the FOP images, 1) the certification usage status of the infant food group was obtained by recognizing the certification marks using object detection. Moreover, 2) the nutrition and health-related texts written on the images were automatically extracted based on optical character recognition (OCR), and the associations between health-related texts were identified by network analysis. The model attained a 94.9% accuracy in identifying certification marks, unveiling prevalent certifications like Kosher. Frequency and network analysis revealed common nutrients and health associations, providing valuable insights into consumer perception. These methods enable fast and efficient monitoring capabilities, which can significantly benefit various food industries. Moreover, the AI-based approaches used in the study are believed to offer insights for related industries regarding the swift transformations in product information status.

Exploring the perception of small and medium food enterprises in Lincolnshire, UK on the use of front‐of‐pack nutrition labels by consumers

SummaryThe food and drink industry is the UK's largest manufacturing sector, and small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) play a key role in the UK's food system. This study investigates food‐providing SMEs' knowledge of nutrition labels and perceptions of the use of front‐of‐pack nutrition labels in making informed and healthy food choices by consumers. The SMEs were based in Lincolnshire, UK, and comprised food manufacturers (75%), food retailers (14%) and food service providers (11%) (n = 35). A 25‐item questionnaire was developed and validated to collect responses. The questionnaire link was disseminated by email and completed online. Comparisons were made between competing answers using Cochran's Q tests, each with post‐hoc pairwise McNemar test comparisons. Confidence intervals were computed using ordinal regressions. More than half of the SMEs' products (58%) had UK traffic light (TL) colour‐coded schemes and % Guideline Daily Amounts (GDAs). The SMEs stated that the TL label was the best format that provided ‘at‐a‐glance’ information, and this was significantly higher than %GDA and interpretative text (Ps < 0.003). Nearly 49% of the SMEs were unaware of the front‐of‐pack labels being not mandatory in the United Kingdom. Many (86%) acknowledged that the nutrition information on food products was helpful or very helpful for consumers in making purchasing decisions. The SMEs seemed to place the costs of implementing FOP labels on food products above their helpfulness in making healthier food decisions by consumers. This research is one of the first to investigate the perceptions of SMEs on how consumers utilise nutrition labels when making healthier food choices in the United Kingdom. Government subsidies on the costs incurred by incorporating TL labelling on the products are necessary in order to have front of pack (FOP) labels mandatory in the United Kingdom. Greater food industry involvement in academic and policy‐related research is essential to creating a healthier and more sustainable food environment.

Whether Children Aged 10-12 React to FOP Nutri-Score Labels on the Children’s Snack Packaging During the Period of Purchase in China

Numerous studies have found that there are many visual design elements on children's food packaging that influence children's tasty, including color, shape, font, size, material, and brand. In recent years, more and more research has found that the role of labeling in food packaging cannot be ignored and is increasingly influencing purchasing behavior to some degree. In addition, there is a gradual upward trend regarding labeling for the improvement of healthy dietary intake of children. This study aims to analyze whether front of packaging (FOP) nutrition labeling on children's snack packaging has a positive effect on the purchasing behavior in China.

Less Favorable Nutri-Score Consumption Ratings Are Prospectively Associated with Abdominal Obesity in Older Adults.

Nutri-Score is a front-of-package (FOP) labeling designed to assist consumers in selecting healthier options at the point of purchase and ultimately enhance their health. This study aims to evaluate the association between the Nutri-Score system and incident abdominal obesity (AO) in community-dwelling older adults. A prospective cohort of 628 individuals aged ≥ 60 were recruited in Spain between 2008-2010 and were reexamined between 2015-2017. Dietary intake was evaluated utilizing a validated computerized dietary history. Food was categorized based on the Nutri-Score system into five levels from A (green, representing the best quality) to E (red, representing the poorest quality). A five-color Nutri-Score dietary index (5-CNS DI) in g/day/kg was calculated for each participant. AO was determined by a waist circumference (WC) of ≥102 cm for men and ≥88 cm for women. Logistic regression models were adjusted for the main potential confounders. During a mean six-year follow-up, 184 incident cases of AO occurred. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for AO, when comparing the highest and lowest quartiles of the 5-CNS DI, were 2.45 (1.17-5.14), with a p-value for trend of 0.035. In sensitivity analyses, the OR was 2.59 (1.22-5.52, p-trend: 0.032) after adjustment for WC at baseline, and 1.75 (0.74-4.18, p-trend: 0.316) after adjustment for ultra-processed food consumption. In conclusion, less favorable food-consumption ratings in the Nutri-Score are associated with incident AO in the elderly. These findings support the use of this FOP system to potentially improve metabolic health.

Kandungan Gula dan Vitamin C pada Minuman Ready to Drink dengan Klaim Vitamin C

Declining COVID-19 positive case does not reduce food industry, especially ready to drink (RTD) beverages industry, to sell product with vitamin C claim. Furthermore, increasing air pollution and climate change has encouraged consumers to maintain their immune system. Meanwhile, RTD beverages are well known as calorie drink with its high sugar content, hence could increase risk of type 2 diabetes. This research aims to evaluate sugar type, sweetener type, sugar and vitamin C content, and vitamin C claim which stated on the label of vitamin C claimed RTD beverages (food category 14.1.4.1 and 14.1.4.2) that is sold in various minimarket and supermarket in Bogor area, and online shop during February to May 2023. Total sugar content subsequently compared to front of pack (FoP) labelling guidance from United Kingdom (UK), Singapore, and Indonesia. This research has collected 70 samples, that consists of fruit juice drink, fruit flavored drink, fruit drink, tea drink, jelly drink, carbonated flavored drink, and milk flavored drink. As much as 74.28% among the samples contained sugar, mainly from sucrose, above 6 g/100 mL. Besides sugar, 52.74% samples contained sweetener, with stevia as natural sweetener more used than artificial sweetener. Based on sugar FoP labelling guidance, the majority of samples was in medium (amber) category in UK, C (orange) category in Singapore, and orange category in Indonesia. Source of vitamin C was the most claim stated as nutritional content claim, while vitamin C function claim to help collagen formation and maintenance was more mentioned compared to immunity claim.

Strengths and weaknesses of food eco-labeling: a review.

Food labeling is increasingly expanding and adding more information to the food package. There is strong evidence about nutrition labeling effectiveness in driving food choice, especially if displayed in the front of package (FoP). Despite the growing attention to nutrition and sustainable diets, few countries have implemented sustainable labels or eco-labels that could address economic, social and/or environmental concerns. Implementing new techniques of eco-labeling emerges as a consumer-focused solution. However, evidence of the effectiveness of eco-labeling in driving consumers' choices is heterogeneous and not univocal. Thus, this review aims to summarize the evidence about the effectiveness of FoP eco-labeling in driving food choice and provide a reference framework of the eco-labeling initiatives relative to food package labeling. This narrative review addresses both the potential benefits as well as the main concerns that arise from the use of eco-labels. Although eco-labeling seems to provide a series of sustainability benefits for producers and consumers, the implementation of such policies should take into consideration potential trade-offs and inter-sectorial coordination to obtain bigger impacts, assuming that a policy itself cannot transform the whole food system. Eco-labeling could be encouraged and implemented within a set of policies shaping sustainable food systems.

Please don't throw me in the briar patch! Empirical evidence on the role of instructional cues on eco-label usage in fish consumption decisions

While contributing to the conservation of natural fish stocks, the aquaculture sector imposes environmental repercussions. The growing popularity of colour-graded eco-labels in promoting pro-environmental practices in food production underscores the need for scientific insights into consumer responses to such labels, particularly with the imminent prospect of a harmonized European labelling framework. The existing literature, although limited and divergent, advocates for real-life testing with fresh, perishable food products, emphasizing the inadequacy of standalone labels and the necessity for complementary measures. Furthermore, the mechanisms underlying how consumers process multi-coloured Front-of-Pack (FOP) labels remain ambiguous, with uncertainties regarding induced consumption shifts stemming from both deliberate information processing and less deliberate associations. This article presents findings from a randomized control trial conducted in a simulated fishmonger store in Derio, Bizkaia, Spain, involving 200 consumers. Participants selected various sea bass products out of multiple options. This task was subject to a 2 (Enviroscore: with vs without) x 2 (Supporting info on Enviroscore: with vs without) between-subject design, resulting in four treatment groups. A 16% increase in the likelihood of selecting lower-impact products was observed. Notably, this effect was evident only in the absence of supporting information on Enviroscore, and the observed impact could not be attributed to any indirect attention effect. In conclusion, Enviroscore exhibits potential in steering consumer choices toward more environmentally friendly aquaculture fish options, even in physical retail settings. However, these effects may be rooted in unconscious responses rather than deliberate environmental considerations, raising questions about the suitability of envisaged policy orientations encompassing disaggregated environmental, nutritional, animal welfare, and social welfare scores. Generalization of these findings warrants validation through further research encompassing a more comprehensive range of products.

Nutrient Profiling Model Towards Recommendation of A Healthy Diet: A Scoping Review

The objective of this study is to identify the availability of Nutrient Profiling (NP) models worldwide and discuss their application. This scoping review is based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses Extension for the Scoping Review (PRISMA-ScR) and the Arksey and O’Malley framework. Articles related to NP among adults published from 2012 to 2022, written in English, were retrieved from the Web of Science, Science Direct, Scopus, and Pubmed databases. Mendeley software was used for database acquisition and MS Excel for the syntesis process. Only 17 articles out of 2,019 article titles identified met the inclusion criteria for the review. This review discovers that the applications of NP in nutrition policies include food labelling, Front-Of-Pack (FOP), and regulations on food marketing, health, and nutrition. Fibre is the nutrient that needs to be included in the NP application compared to saturated fats, fatty acids, sodium, and total sugar. This scoping review demonstrates the scientific basis of the NP model’s development in public health policy, leading to advocacy and the recommendation of healthy diets.

Effects of a front-of-package disclosure on accuracy in assessing children's drink ingredients: two randomised controlled experiments with US caregivers of young children.

Test effects of a standardised front-of-package (FOP) disclosure statement (indicating added sugar, non-nutritive sweetener (NNS) and juice content) on accuracy in assessing ingredients and perceived healthfulness of children's drinks. In two randomised controlled experiments, the same participants viewed drink packages and indicated if products contained added sugar or NNS and percent juice and rated drink healthfulness. Experiment 1 (E1) included novel (non-US) children's drinks with a) product claims only (control), b) claims and disclosure, or c) disclosure only. Experiment 2 (E2) included existing children's drinks (with claims) with a) no disclosure (control) or b) disclosure. Both experiments evaluated sweetened (fruit drink and flavoured water) and unsweetened (100 % juice and juice/water blend) drinks. Potential individual differences (education level and race/ethnicity) in effects were explored. Online survey. Six hundred and forty-eight US caregivers of young children (1-5 years). FOP disclosures significantly increased accuracy for most ingredients and drink types, including identifying presence or absence of NNS in sweetened drinks, no added sugar in juice/water blends, and actual percent juice in fruit drinks and juice/water blends in both experiments. Disclosures also increased recognition that the novel 100 % juice and juice/water blend did not contain NNS or added sugar (E1) and existing sweetened drinks contained added sugar (E2). Disclosures reduced perceived healthfulness of sweetened drinks but did not increase unsweetened drink healthfulness ratings. Some differences by participant socio-demographic characteristics require additional research. FOP disclosures on children's drink packages can increase caregivers' understanding of product ingredients and aid in selecting healthier children's drinks.

Consumer susceptibility to front-of-package (FOP) food labeling: Scale development and validation

Current research in food science has explored the influence of front-of-package (FOP) labeling systems on consumer decision-making, yielding mixed results. We suggest that these inconsistent findings regarding FOP labeling effectiveness stem from a failure to consider a pivotal individual-level variable: consumer susceptibility to FOP labeling (CSFL). In the present research, we define this focal construct and develop and psychometrically validate a seven-item instrument that captures the construct across six studies (N = 1134). The current research may assist in segmenting consumers based on their susceptibility to FOP labeling, thereby facilitating the creation of targeted interventions tailored to this individual difference. Notably, the CSFL scale is positively correlated with consumers’ willingness to purchase food items with genuine, third-party FOP labels, but not products lacking labels or products with fictitious FOP labels. This supports the predictive validity of the scale in determining important consumption-related outcomes.

The Effect of Nutrition Label Type and Consumer Characteristics on the Identification of Healthy Foods in Finland

Front-of-package (FOP) nutrition labels are gaining importance as healthy eating nudge. As a European Union-wide FOP system is under discussion, it is important to examine the understanding of FOPs in various European countries. This study investigates consumer understanding of four FOPs (Heart Symbol, Keyhole, Nutri-Score, Guideline Daily Amounts) and associated consumer characteristics (age, gender, household income, health interest, unhealthy = tasty belief, environmental concern in food choice) in Finland. In an online experiment, 2428 participants ranked products (yoghurt or granola) according to healthiness first without, then with a randomized FOP. Heart Symbol appeared as the most efficient FOP in nutritional assessment of yoghurts. In granolas, Heart Symbol and Nutri-Score performed equally. FOPs were less helpful for older consumers in both product categories and for men in yoghurts. There is a connection between FOP understanding and consumer attitudes. The results contribute to public policy and food industry in FOP implementation.

Impact of ‘‘high in” front‐of‐package nutrition labeling on food choices: Evidence from a grocery shopping experiment

AbstractThis study investigates the ex‐ante effects of the front‐of‐package (FoP) nutrition labeling for food products high in saturated fat, sugar, and/or sodium, which is a new regulation recently announced by Health Canada to combat obesity. The Canadian food industry has until January 1, 2026, to comply with the new regulations. To examine the ex‐ante effects of this policy, an incentivized experiment is conducted in a lab that replicates a grocery store. The results at the product level indicate a significant decrease in the probability of choosing a product with a “high in” label compared to those without “high in” labels. Basket‐level results demonstrate that FoP labeling is significantly associated with a lower quantity share and dollar value share of products high in one of the mentioned nutrients selected in a grocery basket, as well as fewer grams of sugar and sodium in a grocery basket. Furthermore, the study reveals that individuals with higher educational attainment, a risk‐averse nature, and a lower level of self‐reported nutrition knowledge tend to react more to the labeling. The insights from eye‐tracking data further support these results, revealing that product choices are deterred by a fixation on “high in” labels. This study contributes to an improved understanding of the pathway in which labeling schemes influence food choices.

Evaluating front-of-pack voluntary well-being messaging for milk powders targeting Chinese older adults: A hedonic price model

This study examines the price structure of milk powders targeting Chinese older adults, with special emphasis on the assessment of front-of-pack (FOP) voluntary well-being messaging (VWM), using a hedonic price model. Data of 456 sets of product prices and attributes were collected from official stores at online shops, TMALL.com and JD.com, in China. Prices were recorded 10 d before, during, and 10 d after a major online promotion event (November 11, 2021). A hedonic price model was employed to decompose explicit market prices into individual product attributes implicit prices, including essential attributes, such as milk source, brand origin, package material, and nutritional composition, and nonessential attributes conveyed by FOP VWM, regarding nutrition, ingredients, health, sensory qualities, and certification. Results showed that above and beyond essential attributes, nonessential attributes conveyed by FOP VWM were significantly associated with price. Specifically, significant price premiums were associated with dietary fiber claims (+12.7%), no added sugar (+19.0%) and potential health benefits (+19.3%), as nutrition-, ingredient-, and health-related FOP VWM respectively. However, nutrition claims regarding calcium and fat were negatively associated with price (-21.2% and -8.0%, respectively, when they were presented). Additionally, nutrition claims for protein and vitamin D, introducing farm environment, referring to imported ingredients, declaring specific ingredients added, describing sensory characterizes and providing certificates on FOP were not significantly associated with price in this market. These findings provide manufacturers with information to better differentiate their products by producing and advertising attributes most valued by consumers.