Are Front-of-Package Warning Labels More Effective at Communicating Nutrition Information than Traffic-Light Labels? A Randomized Controlled Experiment in a Brazilian Sample

Author(s)

Khandpur, Neha ^[1] ; Sato, Priscila de Morais ^[1] ; Mais, Lais Amaral ^[2] ; Bortoletto Martins, Ana Paula ^[2] ; Spinillo, Carla Galvao ^[3] ; Garcia, Mariana Tarricone ^[2] ; Urquizar Rojas, Carlos Felipe ^[3] ; Jaime, Patricia Constante ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Publ Hlth, Ctr Epidemiol Studies Hlth & Nutr NUPENS, Ave Dr Arnaldo, 715 Cerqueira Cesar, BR-01246904 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Brazilian Inst Consumers Def Idec, R Desembargador Guimaraes, 21 Agua Branca, BR-05002000 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Univ Fed Parana, Dept Design, Res Grp Digital & Informat Design, Rua Gen Cameiro 460, BR-80060050 Curitiba, Parana - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: NUTRIENTS; v. 10, n. 6 JUN 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 28

Abstract

Background: Brazil is currently debating the implementation of front-of-package labels. This study tested if Warning labels (WLs) improved consumer understanding, perceptions, and purchase intentions compared to Traffic-Light labels (TLLs) in 1607 Brazilian adults. Methods: In this online, randomized controlled experiment participants saw images of 10 products and answered questions twiceonce in a no-label, control condition and then again in a randomly assigned label condition. The relative differences in responses between WLs and TLLs between control and label conditions were estimated using one-way ANOVAs or Chi-square tests. Results: Presenting WLs on products compared to TLLs helped participants: (i) improve their understanding of excess nutrient content (27.0% versus 8.2%, p < 0.001); (ii) improve their ability to identify the healthier product (24.6% versus 3.3%, p < 0.001); (iii) decrease perceptions of product healthfulness; and (iv) correctly identify healthier products (14.0% versus 6.9%, p < 0.001), relative to the control condition. With WLs, there was also an increase in the percentage of people: (v) expressing an intention to purchase the relatively healthier option (16.1% versus 9.8%, p < 0.001); and (vi) choosing not to buy either product (13.0% versus 2.9%, p < 0.001), relative to the control condition. The participants in the WL condition had significantly more favorable opinions of the labels compared to those in the TLL group. Conclusions: WLs would be more effective, compared to the TLL, at improving consumer food choices. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/05651-0 - Ultra processed food consumption and feeding practices of mothers in Cruzeiro do Sul, Acre: a mixed-methods approach
• Grantee: Priscila de Morais Sato
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 16/13669-4 - Ultra-processed food consumption and dietary quality indicators in the United Kingdom
• Grantee: Neha Khandpur
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral