Nutrition Label Use Research Articles

Use of nutritional food labels and consumers’ confidence in label information

ABSTRACT Objective This investigation evaluated the use of food labels and consumers’ perception of the reliability of food labels nutritional information. Methods This is a transversal exploratory quantitative investigation, carried out in Curitiba, Brazil. A total of 536 students from a public institution participated in the survey answering a structured questionnaire. Descriptive analyses, Chi-Square test and Fisher’s exact test were performed considering a significance level of 5%. Results The participants’ mean age was 21.11±2.83 years, and 59.3% were female. It was noticed that 41.6% of consumers used the nutritional information sometimes and 14.7% always, mainly because they liked to know what they were buying and consuming (35.8%). Lack of patience (29.5%) and concern about the composition of the food purchased (34.2%) were the main reasons for not using the information provided. The most commonly used nutrition claim was “trans fat-free” (42.5%) and the type of food in which nutrition labeling was used most was milk and dairy products (42.0%). Frequent use of nutritional information was higher among women (p<0.01) and among those who practice physical activity (p=0.04). Many individuals relied on food labels nutritional information (61.9%), but out of these, 43.6% did not use that information at the time of purchase. There was no difference between respondents’ confidence in the information, sociodemographic and health data. Conclusion Many people still do not use the label nutrition information. Efforts should be made to change this scenario. Changes in nutrition labeling can help modify this situation, with the use of clearer label information, more easily understood, that does not raise any doubts in the consumers’ mind.

The relationship between nutrition reading and label use and nutrition knowledge amongst a sample of rural youth studying at a university in South Africa.

BackgroundWithin rural communities, quests for understanding consumer behaviour patterns become key, especially given the challenges that exist in such communities. Furthermore, youth consumers are an important cohort in rural communities in South Africa. Yet little empirical work has been conducted in studying their consumptive habits (usually in favour of youths in urban areas).AimThis study sought to measure the relationship between nutrition label use and nutrition knowledge amongst a sample of rural youth. This also included ascertaining the roles of demographic variables such as (1) gender and (2) and the number of years in tertiary education in this relationship.SettingThe study was located within a South African rural context using a sample of rural youths.MethodA quantitative study was utilised by means of a self-administered questionnaire, involving 150 youths residing in a rural community located in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Inferential statistical analysis was conducted using correlation tests, analysis of variance and linear regression.ResultsThree main findings emerged. Firstly, rural youth consumers’ nutrition label use had no significant relationship with nutrition knowledge. Secondly, no significant difference existed by gender concerning nutrition knowledge. Finally, the level of education amongst the rural youth consumers had no relationship with aspects of nutrition knowledge.ConclusionBased on the findings, recommendations are made not only for theory and practice but also for policy in relation to both the rural context and for optimal health.

Conocimientos, opiniones y uso del etiquetado nutricional de alimentos procesados en adolescentes ecuatorianos según tipo de colegio

Antecedentes: el etiquetado nutricional es una herramienta que contribuye en la prevención de las enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles, cuyos factores de riesgo son altamente prevalentes en Ecuador. Objetivo: comparar los conocimientos, opiniones y uso del etiquetado y del semáforo nutricional según el tipo de colegio, en un grupo de adolescentes de 1.o a 3.o de bachillerato de dos unidades educativas de la ciudad de Quito, Ecuador, durante el año 2017. Materiales y métodos: estudio descriptivo transversal en 161 adolescentes de ambos sexos, de un colegio privado y otro público, a quienes se les aplicó una encuesta sobre conocimientos, decisión de compra y lectura de las etiquetas nutricionales de alimentos procesados. Resultados: el 89,4 % de los adolescentes identificó la etiqueta nutricional, pero solo el 50,9 % la leyó, y solo el 32,3 % la entendió completamente; aunque el 45,3 % ha cambiado sus hábitos de consumo gracias al uso del semáforo nutricional y el 58,4 % manifestó que esto ha beneficiado también a su familia. El 79,5 % no prefirió los alimentos que incluían el semáforo nutricional dentro de la etiqueta. En ninguno de los casos se encontraron diferencias estadísticas según el tipo de colegio. Conclusión: el uso que hacen los jóvenes del etiquetado nutricional de los alimentos no contribuye con su elección al momento de adquirirlos, sin diferencias según el tipo de colegio.

Association between Use of Nutritional Labeling and the Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components.

In this study, we looked into the association between the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and nutritional label awareness. This study used data from the Korea National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (KNHANES) for the years 2007 to 2015. The study population consisted of a total of 41,667 Koreans of which 11,401 (27.4%) were diagnosed with metabolic syndrome and 30,266 (72.6%) were not. Groups not using nutritional labeling had a 24% increase in odds risk (OR: 1.24, 95% CI 1.14–1.35) of MetS compared to groups using nutritional labeling. Use of nutritional labeling was associated with all components of MetS. Central obesity showed the highest increase in odds risk (OR: 1.23, 95% CI 1.13–1.35) and high blood pressure showed the lowest increase in odds risk (OR: 1.11, 95% CI 1.02–1.20). Subgroup analysis revealed that statistically significant factors were smoking status, drinking status and stress status. Groups that smoke, groups that do not drink and groups with high stress were more vulnerable to MetS when not using nutritional labeling. People not using food labels tends to develop metabolic syndromes more than people using foods labels. In the subgroup analysis, drinking status, smoking status and stress status were significant factors.

Nutrition Label Use Is Related to Chronic Conditions among Mexicans: Data from the Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey 2016

BackgroundNon-communicable diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension, can be prevented and treated through a balanced nutrient-rich diet. Nutrition labels have been recognized as crucial to preventing obesity and non-communicable diseases through a healthier diet. ObjectiveOur aim was to examine the association between nutrition label use and chronic conditions (overweight, obesity, previously diagnosed diabetes, and hypertension) among an adult Mexican population. DesignThis was a cross-sectional study that used data from the Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey of 2016 (ENSANUT MC 2016). Participants/settingThe participants were 5,013 adults aged 20 to 70 years old. Older adults (>70 years), illiterate participants, pregnant women, and participants with implausible blood pressure data were excluded from the sample. The survey was conducted from May to August 2016 in the participants’ households. Main outcome measuresWe measured chronic conditions (overweight, obesity, previously diagnosed diabetes, and hypertension). Statistical analyses performedPearson χ2 test was used to examine the associations among the use of nutrition labels and sociodemographic characteristics and chronic conditions. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine the association between nutrition label use and chronic conditions adjusting for the effect of confounding variables like sex, age, body mass index, education level, marital status, ethnicity, residence area, region, and socioeconomic status. ResultsFrom the total sample, 40.9% (95% CI 38.4% to 43.8%) reported using nutrition labeling. Respondents with overweight or obesity were less likely to use nutrition labels (odds ratio 0.74; P<0.05). Participants who self-reported diabetes had significantly lower odds of nutrition label use than participants who did not report to have diabetes (odds ratio 0.66; P<0.05). Participants having 3 chronic conditions had lower odds of nutrition label use (odds ratio 0.34; P<0.01) relative to having zero chronic conditions. ConclusionsThis study suggests an association between nutrition label use and chronic conditions (obesity and diabetes). These findings demonstrate that people with obesity, diabetes, and a combination of chronic conditions were less likely to use nutrition labels than people without these conditions.

The Effect of Health Knowledge, Nutrition Label Use and Attitude towards Nutrition Label on Healthy Food Choice among Malaysian Consumer

This study determines the effect of health knowledge on nutrition label use and attitude, and consequently on healthy food choice among Malaysian consumer. This study adopted the positivist, deductive and quantitative approach. A sample consisted of 420 Malaysian consumers, aged at least 15 years old, which selected using systematic street-intercept sampling method. Data, which collected using a self-administered questionnaire, were analysed using descriptive statistics and structural equation modelling (SEM). The findings reveal the significant positive effect of health knowledge on attitude towards nutrition label and attitude towards nutrition label on healthy food choice. Though the findings add to the existing literature, provide useful information on how nutrition label could assist in guiding the consumer to make a healthier food choice and serve as a reference point that could stimulate and guide future researchers and other relevant parties, this study is still limited by several factors that require replication in future research.

MON-PO437: Consumer Knowledge and Use of Food and Nutrition Labelling in South Africa

MON-PO437: Consumer Knowledge and Use of Food and Nutrition Labelling in South Africa

Application of the Tayyib concept among Malaysian muslim consumers

PurposeThis study aims to determine the effect of health knowledge on nutrition-label use and attitude, and consequently on healthy food choice among Malaysian Muslim consumers.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopts the positivist, deductive and quantitative approach. A sample consisting of 257 Muslim consumers, at least 15 years old, were selected using systematic street-intercept sampling method. Data collected using a self-administered questionnaire were analysed using descriptive statistics and structural equation modelling (SEM).FindingsThe findings reveal the significant positive effect of health knowledge on nutrition-label use and attitude towards nutrition label, but only attitude towards nutrition label significantly predicts healthy food choice.Research limitations/implicationsThough the findings add to the existing literature, provide useful information on how nutrition label could guide the consumer to make healthier food choices and serve as a reference point that could stimulate and guide future researchers and other relevant parties, this study is limited by several factors that require replication in future research.Originality/valueThis research is perhaps one of the first attempts to consider the role of nutrition label as one of the ways to comply with the Tayyib principle.

The Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome and Its Related Risk Complications among Koreans.

There is an increasing number of metabolic syndrome (MetS) patients worldwide, and there is no exception in South Korea. The risk complications of metabolic syndrome have been investigated by many previous research studies, while no data on any current trends of MetS are available. Therefore, the present study investigates the recent prevalence of MetS and its associated risk complications in Korean adults by using the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). The Survey respondents (n = 4744) were adults over the age of 30, and they had participated in KNHANES 2016, which is a health survey of a national representative sample of non-institutionalized civilian South Koreans. The cross-tabulation analysis was applied to figure out the general characteristics impacting on the prevalence of MetS; furthermore, the odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using multivariate logistic regression analysis were presented for the risk complications of MetS. Findings from this study indicated that subjective health status, family structure, age, income level, use of nutrition labelling and gender showed significant connections with the prevalence of MetS. The risk diseases, stroke (OR = 2.174, 95% CI = 1.377–3.433, p < 0.01), myocardial infarction (MI) (OR = 2.667, 95% CI = 1.474–4.824, p < 0.01) and diabetes (OR = 6.533, 95% CI = 4.963, p < 0.001) were explored and verified attributable to the prevalence of MetS. The findings in this study suggest that sociodemographic characteristics-concentrated strategies are vital to prevent the prevalence of MetS in South Korea, and relative risk complications ought to be cautiously dealt with as well.

Evaluation of Athletes' Food Choices during Competition with Use of Digital Images.

The selection of foods made by athletes during competition can impact performance, yet to date, the quality of their food choices has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to describe the food selection of athletes in a buffet-style dining hall setting in terms of diet quality, food variety, and volume of food and compare to their self-rating of their meal, reasons for the choosing the food items, access to previous nutrition advice, and use of nutrition labelling. A total of 81 athletes (42 females, 39 males) from 24 sports across 58 countries at the 2018 Commonwealth Games (Qld, Australia) participated in this study. A digital photograph was taken of the athletes’ meal after selection from the buffet and prior to consumption. Each participant was asked a series of questions in relation to their food selection. The photographs were coded into recommended serves of food groups based on the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating. The nutritional analysis and photograph of a standard serve size were used to quantify the energy and nutrients for the meal. Most athletes chose adequate quantities of macronutrients, which agreed with their reasons for the food choice, but the majority did not include fruit (80.2%) or dairy (65.4%) in their food selection, while 54% of males included discretionary foods (0.25–7.0 serves). The median self-rating for food choice was 8/10. Most reasons for food choices were nutritional attributes, sensory factors, performance, usual eating practices and physiological factors (e.g., satiety, gut comfort). This suggests that athletes may need more education on the quality of food selected from buffet settings.

Nutrition students beliefs on the nutritional information and nutritional claims in the pre-packaged food products: an application of the Theory of Planned Behavior

This study identified the modal salient behavior, the normative and the control modal beliefson the nutritional label use for the prepackaged food products among the college students.In November 2015, the exploratory qualitative research was conducted with 19 nutritionstudents, applying the concepts of Theory of Planned Behavior. Contents analysis of twoorganized focus groups and the statistical descriptive analysis of quantitative variables wereperformed. Both focus groups mentioned the advantages of the use of nutritional information,as the assistance for choosing the healthy food. A specific disadvantage associated with thementioned nutritional claims was this influence on the purchase decisions (behavioral beliefs).The students mentioned their parents and siblings as the peoples who approve the use of thisinformation, when they purchase a product (normative beliefs). Small lettering and difficultyto interpret the portions size indicated in the nutritional information on the labels were thefactors, which could difficult their use. Making easy to read the nutritional claims tend tostimulate the purchasing decisions (control beliefs). Eleven salient modal beliefs were identified,which may explain participants’ behavior when using information and nutrition claims.

Effects of menu labelling on students′ food choice: a preliminary study

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to assess the relationship between nutrition knowledge and grocery store nutrition label use, with using nutrition information disclosure on menu selection in a group of hospitality management students, who shall be responsible for menu labelling in their future careers.Design/methodology/approachA between-subject design included 324 students, who were randomly assigned to choose from a menu labelled as follows: unlabelled; kcal label only; graphical label providing information on the per cent of the recommended daily intake of energy and four nutrients. Their nutrition knowledge and habit of reading grocery store nutrition labels were tested using an additional questionnaire.FindingsThe results showed that the provision of energy value information resulted in the selection of less energetic, less fat and less salted food, while a graphical label additionally led to the selection of food having a lower saturated fatty acid (SFA) and sugar content. Multiple regression analysis showed that the habit of packaged food nutrition label reading was a significant predictor of choosing food having a lower energy (p&lt;0.001), fat (p&lt;0.001), SFA (p&lt;0.001), sugar (p&lt;0.001) and salt (p=0.003) content, while the influence of nutrition knowledge on food selection was proven insignificant.Originality/valueGiven the established positive impact of menu labelling, these findings support the future European policy mandating energy and nutrient content disclosure on menus, but also point to the need for more-intense consumer education.

Association between awareness of nutrition labeling and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration in cancer survivors and the general population: The Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2010\u20132016

BackgroundNutrition labeling has been found to affect the amount and type of food intake, with certain groups in the population, such as cancer survivors, being more aware of this information. A higher awareness of nutrition labeling is inversely related to the risk of dyslipidemia. This study therefore assessed the association between awareness of nutrition labeling and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration among cancer survivors in South Korea and in the general population of subjects without a history of cancer.MethodsThis cross-sectional analysis evaluated 25,156 adults who participated in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (KNHANES) from 2010 to 2016. Factors influencing the association between awareness of nutrition labeling and HDL-C concentration in cancer survivors and the general population were determined by multiple regression analysis.ResultsOf the 25,156 participants, 2.88% were cancer survivors and 97.12% had no history of cancer. HDL-C concentrations were higher in subjects who were aware of nutrition labeling than in subjects who were not. Checking or using nutrition labeling had a greater effect on the management of HDL-C concentration for cancer survivors than for the general population.ConclusionAwareness of nutrition labeling was associated with better outcomes, including higher controlled HDL-C levels, and reductions in factors increasing the risk of coronary artery disease and cancer, especially in cancer survivors. Health policymakers or medical professionals should develop programs to promote the use of nutrition labeling among cancer survivors in South Korea.

Reading the Nutritional Information on Food Labels Among Teachers with and without Hypertension in Brazil.

Background:To examine the associations among nutritional label use, medically diagnosed hypertension, and sociodemographic factors among teachers.Methods:A cross-sectional study of elementary and secondary school teachers in Londrina, Paraná, Brazil, was conducted. Data regarding sociodemographic variables, hypertension diagnosis, and the reading of nutritional information on food/beverage labels were collected in 2012–2013. Associations were analyzed using Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test, and multivariate binary logistic regression models were used to adjust for possible confounders; odds ratios (ORs), 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and adjusted P values were calculated.Results:Of the 978 teachers interviewed, 15% were diagnosed with hypertension, and 62.5% read nutritional information in the 12 months prior to the survey (41% frequently or always). No differences were found between teachers with and without hypertension with regard to frequent reading (frequently/always) of nutritional labels. The frequent use of nutritional labels was significantly associated with female sex (OR = 1.39; 95% CI = 1.04–1.85) and the highest monthly family income level (OR = 1.82; 95% CI = 1.07–3.11). Teachers with hypertension reported checking for sodium more frequently than those without (adjusted P value = 0.040). Medical advice (adjusted P value <0.001) and choosing healthier foods (adjusted P value = 0.002) were the major reasons for reading labels provided by teachers with and without hypertension, respectively.Conclusions:Checking for sodium values on nutritional labels was significantly higher among teachers with hypertension, which most likely results from medical advice, and was the major reported reason for reading these labels.

Nutrition Label Use and Its Association With Dietary Quality Among Latinos: The Roles of Poverty and Acculturation

ObjectiveTo investigate how acculturation and poverty are independently and jointly associated with the use of the Nutrition Facts panel (nutrition label) and to examine the extent to which nutrition label use moderates the association of poverty and acculturation on dietary quality among Latinos. DesignCross-sectional analysis of the 2007/2008 and 2009/2010 waves of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. ParticipantsA total of 3,696 adults (aged >19 years) self-identified as Latino/Hispanic with food label use data from the most recent Consumer Behavior Phone Follow-Up Modules. Main Outcome Measure(s)Nutrition label use and dietary quality. AnalysisLogistic regression. ResultsAcculturation moderated the association of income on the likelihood of using nutrition labels, such that lower-income English-speaking Latinos were half as likely as higher-income English-speakers to use nutrition labels (P = .01, odds ratio [OR] = 0.44, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.24–0.81); however, Spanish speakers were equally likely to use nutrition labels across income levels (P = .99; OR = 1.00; 95% CI, 0.77–1.31). Nutrition label use moderated the association of acculturation on diet. Among English-speaking Latinos, those who read nutrition labels had less than half the risk for poor diet (P =.001; OR = 0.43; 95% CI, 0.26–0.69); however, label use was not significantly associated with the diet quality of Spanish speakers (P = .07; OR = 0.82; 95% CI, 0.67–1.02). Nutrition label use decreased the risk for poor dietary quality regardless of poverty status. Conclusions and ImplicationsOverall, results demonstrated a positive association between the use of the Nutrition Facts panel for Latinos and dietary quality. An important nutrition education strategy among bicultural Latinos at risk for a poor diet as a result of acculturation may include label reading comprehension. This approach may also address the low rates of label use. The study provides evidence of segmented assimilation in which low-income, bicultural Latinos follow an underclass pattern of acculturation demonstrated by a lower likelihood of reading nutrition labels and higher-income, bicultural Latinos follow the more successful selective pattern.

Factors Influencing Nutrition Label Reading Behavior in Individuals With Selected Chronic Diseases

ABSTRACTBackground: Proper nutrition is essential in managing chronic diseases, and knowing how to use nutrition labels is vital in this respect. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine factors impacting nutrition label use and identify the most used, most preferred, and most impactful sources of nutrition information. Methods: A cross-sectional survey using a web link was distributed through a convenience sample of pharmacies. Data were collected on nutrition knowledge; label knowledge, use, and attitudes; demographics; and nutrition information sources. Predictors of label use were identified. Label use and knowledge were compared among those with and without chronic disease and caregivers of those with chronic disease. Results: Of 284 respondents, 68% were women, 56% had a bachelor’s degree or higher, and 47% reported at least one chronic disease. Label use was significantly predicted only by nutrition knowledge, which in turn was predicted by label knowledge, disease duration, and education. Discussion: Those with chronic disease read labels more but showed less label knowledge. Web pages, physicians, and health education professionals were the most preferred sources of nutrition information. Translation to Health Education Practice: Individuals with chronic diseases and their caregivers need interventions to improve nutrition knowledge, probably through web pages and physician offices and by improving patient access to dietitians and Certified Health Education Specialists.

The Role of Nutrition Label among Malaysian Consumer: A Preliminary Review

This paper seeks to identify the role of the nutrition label, particularly on the use and attitude in the context of Malaysian consumer. Specifically, this paper provides the definitions of the nutrition label, nutrition label use and nutrition label attitude, and describe the potential antecedent and outcome of nutrition label use and attitude obtained from previous research. This is a content analysis involving relevant articles that were identified using both electronic and manual bibliographic search methods. Overall, it was revealed of the lack of empirical evidence on the role of the nutrition label, particularly on the consumer use and attitude in developing countries including Malaysia. The health knowledge has been frequently tested as the antecedent of nutrition label use and attitude, while healthy food choice as the outcome variable. This study provides one of the few attempts to identify, consolidate, and evaluate the extant literature on the nutrition label in the context of Malaysia. Hence, it provides a reference point that could stimulate and guide future research on the nutrition label.

Does the active use of nutrition labeling reduce the risk of diabetes mellitus? Results of insulin resistance using Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

AimsIn 1995, nutrition labeling became mandatory in South Korea. These regulations help consumers make reasonable choices when purchasing food based on nutritional value by providing the nutritional properties of processed foods. We investigated the association between perceptions about nutrition labeling and insulin resistance (IR) in people with no diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (DM). MethodsThis study used data from the sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES VI-3 in 2015, n=2931). We used multiple regression analysis to investigate the relationship between perceptions about nutrition labeling and the homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Results75.2% of participants were aware of nutrition labeling and 24.8% of participants checked nutrition labeling and actively used the information. “Actively checked and used the nutrition labeling” was inversely associated with HOMA-IR scores (check nutrition facts and make labeling-dependent purchase decisions: β=−0.108, p=0.0164). These associations were more significant in people who were obese or paid more attention to their health. ConclusionHigh levels of perceptions about nutrition labeling and active use of such information could have positive effects on reducing IR and preventing DM. Therefore, it is necessary to improve public perception for effective implementation of healthcare programs.

Awareness, understanding and use of sodium information labelled on pre-packaged food in Beijing:a cross-sectional study

BackgroundNutrition labelling has been mandatory for pre-packaged foods since 2013 in China, and sodium is one of the nutrients required for display on the nutritional information panel (NIP). This study aimed to estimate the awareness, understanding of, and use of sodium labelling information among the population in China.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was carried out in urban Beijing in 2016 on pre-packaged foods. The researchers randomly selected 380 residents from four convenient but disconnected communities and 370 shoppers from four supermarkets owned by different companies and conducted face-to-face interviews. Questions on nutritional knowledge, health attitude, understanding and use of nutritional labels as well as other related factors were assessed.ResultsAll of the 380 community residents and 308 of the 370 supermarket shoppers successfully completed the survey. Of those 688 respondents, 91.3% understood that excessive salt intake was harmful, 19.5% were aware that sodium content is listed on the NIP, 5.5% understood the meaning of NRV% (Percentage of Nutrient Reference Values), 47.7% did not know the relationship between sodium and salt, and 12.6% reported they frequently read the label when shopping. Factors for why people were more likely to choose a product because of its low level of salt shown on the label include income level and their level of awareness of the link between salt and diet.ConclusionsAlthough the participants had a good understanding of the harmful effects of salt, the awareness, understanding and use of sodium labels was very low in Beijing, and even worse nationwide. Efforts should be taken to educate the public to understand and use the NIP better and design clearer ways of displaying such information, such as front-of pack (FoP) labelling or health-related smartphone applications to improve health and help people make better food choices.

Nutrition Labelling Use and Higher Adherence to Mediterranean Diet: Results from the DiSA-UMH Study.

The aim of this study was to identify determinants of the nutrition labelling (NL) use and explore its association with the adherence to Mediterranean Diet (MD) in Spanish health university students. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of the baseline data from 1026 university students aged 17–35 years enrolled in the DiSA-UMH (Dieta, Salud y Antropometría-Universidad Miguel Hernández) cohort study. Students were asked about their NL use by the following question: “Do you usually read the nutrition labelling of packaged foods?” (No, Yes). Dietary intake was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire and the adherence to MD was measured by relative Mediterranean Diet score (rMED). Socio-demographic, lifestyle, and anthropometric variables were also collected. Multiple logistic regression models were applied for the analysis. Fifty-eight percent of the students were NL users and were most likely to be women (Odds Ratio (OR): 1.38; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.01–1.89), be older (OR per year: 1.08; 95% CI: 1.03–1.13), be physically active/very active (OR: 1.68; 95% CI: 1.17–2.41), and spend less time watching television (OR per hour: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.74–0.95). After adjusting for potential confounding factors, our findings suggested that those university students who had higher adherence to MD used NL greatly (OR per 2 points increase: 1.30; 95% CI: 1.18–1.43) and had a larger consumption of fish (OR per 100 g/day: 1.94; 95 CI: 1.38–2.71), vegetables (OR per 100 g/day: 1.15; CI 95%: 1.08–1.12), and fruits (OR per 100 g/day: 1.22; 1.11–1.34) and a smaller intake of meats (OR per 100 g/day: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.58–0.99). Our approach contributes to exploring the role of NL use as a suitable tool to make healthier food choices from a different wider perspective based on dietary patterns such as MD, which can also indicate an overall healthy lifestyle. Given the lack of research in Mediterranean areas, further studies focused on exploring the potential role of NL in promoting healthy dietary habits are required.