In a new study published today in the British Journal of Nutrition, a team of researchers led by the University of Surrey, has found that front of package nutrition labels can enable consumers to make healthier food choices.
In recent years, a number of different front of package labels have been developed by industry and health promotion organisations. The majority of labels include values for energy, sugar, fat, saturated fat and salt, but some also include percentage Guideline Daily Amounts or traffic light colours to help consumers' understanding of the numerical values. In some cases a logo is included on the label to indicate that the food is a healthier choice.
The team analysed data from 2,068 adult consumers in four European countries (the United Kingdom, Germany, Poland and Turkey) who were presented with three categories of food - pizza, yoghurt and biscuits. The study looked at the effect of overlaying a basic front of package label displaying only values for energy and the four key risk nutrients sugar, fat, saturated fat and salt, with four other systems; Guideline Daily Amounts, traffic light colours, a hybrid version of Guideline Daily Amounts and traffic light colours and a health logo.
The results showed that in all three food categories, participants were able to differentiate between the healthiest, middle and least healthy varieties, with all the label systems and only small differences were observed between them. Researchers believe the addition of traffic light colours, Guideline Daily Amounts or health logos to basic nutrient information may have a greater impact in real-world settings and that further research is needed to establish their potential to change shopping behaviour.
"Front of package food labelling is an important tool in helping consumers to make healthier choices and to encourage the industry to provide healthier foods," said Professor Monique Raats from the University of Surrey who led the research.
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Media enquiries: Peter La, Media Relations Office at the University of Surrey, Tel: 01483 689191 or E-mail: p.la@surrey.ac.uk
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About the University of Surrey
The University of Surrey is one of the UK's leading professional, scientific and technological universities with a world class research profile and a reputation for excellence in teaching and research. Ground-breaking research at the University is bringing direct benefit to all spheres of life - helping industry to maintain its competitive edge and creating improvements in the areas of health, medicine, space science, the environment, communications, defence and social policy. Programmes in science and technology have gained widespread recognition and it also boasts flourishing programmes in dance and music, social sciences, management and languages and law. In addition to the campus on 150 hectares just outside Guildford, Surrey, the University also owns and runs the Surrey Research Park, which provides facilities for 110 companies employing 2,750 staff. The University of Surrey was recently ranked 6th in The Guardian league table of UK universities for 2015.
Journal
British Journal Of Nutrition