How to read nutrition labels in four steps - MedicalNewsToday
This article explains how to read a nutrition label, detailing four areas people should understand. It discusses calories, serving sizes, and percentage of ...
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Some <anchor>studies</anchor> suggest that consumers look at labeling for products such as convenience foods, cereals, and snacks, which can influence them to make healthier choices. Other studies indicate that most people look at food labels and are able to use them to make healthy choices, but taste is still the most relevant factor.
Do nutrition labels influence healthier food choices? Analysis of label viewing behaviour and subsequent food purchases in a labelling intervention trial - ScienceDirect
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## Appetite

Volume 121, 1 February 2018, Pages 360-365

# Do nutrition labels influence healthier food choices? Analysis of label viewing behaviour and subsequent food purchases in a labelling intervention trial

Author links open overlay panelClionaNi Mhurchua, HelenEylesa, YannanJianga, TonyBlakelyb

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## Abstract

### Background

There are few objective data on how nutrition labels are used in real-world shopping situations, or how they affect dietary choices and patterns.

### Design

The Starlight study was a four-week randomised, controlled trial of the effects of three different types of nutrition labels on consumer food purchases: Traffic Light Labels, Health Star Rating labels, or Nutrition Information Panels (control). Smartphone technology allowed participants to scan barcodes of packaged foods and receive randomly allocated labels on their phone screen, and to record their food purchases. The study app therefore provided objectively recorded data on label viewing behaviour and food purchases over a four-week period. A post-hoc analysis of trial data was undertaken to assess frequency of label use, label use by food group, and association between label use and the healthiness of packaged food products purchased.

### Results

Over the four-week intervention, study participants (n = 1255) viewed nutrition labels for and/or purchased 66,915 barcoded packaged products. Labels were viewed for 23% of all purchased products, with decreasing frequency over time. Shoppers were most likely to view labels for convenience foods, cereals, snack foods, bread and bakery products, and oils. They were least likely to view labels for sugar and honey products, eggs, fish, fruit and vegetables, and meat. Products for which participants viewed the label and subsequently purchased the product during the same shopping episode were significantly healthier than products where labels were viewed but the product was not subsequently purchased: mean difference in nutrient profile score −0.90 (95% CI -1.54 to −0.26).

### Conclusions

In a secondary analysis of a nutrition labelling intervention trial, there was a significant association between label use and the healthiness of products purchased. Nutrition label use may therefore lead to healthier food purchases.

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## Keywords

Nutrition

Labelling

Diet

Behaviour

Nutrient profile

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