![]() ![]() In low- and middle-income countries, FOPL can generate substantial health gains while entirely paying for itself through future reductions of health-care expenditures. ![]() The inclusion of simplified nutrition information on the front of food packages, known as front-of-pack food labeling (FOPL), is a cost-effective strategy to help consumers make healthier choices and reduce the risk for chronic diseases at the population level. The study results highlight the potential of Warning labels to support decreases in the consumption of critical ingredients in low- and middle-income Mexican consumers. Results show that directive and semi-directive labels, such as Warning labels, Health Star Rating or Multiple Traffic Light, may be better at helping population of low- and middle income make healthier food choices, than non-directive FOPL such as the Guideline Daily Amounts implemented in México. The Warning labels in red was more accepted compared to Warning labels in black. The Warning labels was the only label able to warn about critical nutrients that could represent a health risk. Health Star Rating, Warning labels, Multiple Traffic Light and the Healthy Choice logo labels were the most understandable, however the acceptability of the The Healthy Choice logo decreased as it did not provide information on specific ingredients. Most participants were aware of the Guideline Daily Amounts, however they rarely used it because interpreting the information displayed on the label was too complicated. Data was analyzed with a triangulation of researchers using a content analysis, based on three codes: 1) awareness and use of the Guideline Daily Amounts, 2) acceptability, and 3) subjective understanding of labels. Seven FOPL were evaluated: Guideline Daily Amounts, Multiple Traffic Light, Chilean Warning labels, Warning labels in Red, 5-Color Nutrition Label, Health Star Rating, and Healthy Choice label. We performed two phases of 10 focus groups with adolescents (13–15 y), young adults (21–23 y), mothers of children 3–12 y, fathers of children 3–12 y and older adults (55–70 y). Our main objective was to explore the subjective understanding of labels that are currently used internationally among low- and middle-income Mexican consumers. Front-of-pack labeling is a cost-effective strategy to decrease population consumption of sodium, sugar, saturated fat, total fat, and trans-fatty acids, considered critical nutrients for chronic disease.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |