Objective: To evaluate the availability of nutrition-related information and features on leading online grocery store Web sites. Methods: Twelve US grocery Web sites were assessed to determine (1) if Nutrition Facts panel or ingredient statements were available for 26 food items; and (2) if options to filter or sort search results by nutritionrelated food attributes were available. Results: Nutrition Facts panel and ingredient statement information were available for most foods for which this information is required on product packaging (85% of foods). Most stores offered the ability to filter food search results by a nutrition-related food attribute. The ability to sort search results by a nutrition attribute was not an option at any of the stores. Conclusions and Implications: Online grocery stores include a variety of nutrition-related features. However, the Nutrition Facts panel and ingredient statement information are not universally available for foods for which this information is required on product packaging.
Objectives The aim of this study was to describe the availability of nutrition-related information and features on leading online grocery store websites. Methods This study was a cross-sectional design. A systematic protocol was followed to assess availability of nutrition-related features on twelve online grocery shopping websites. The availability of nutrition facts panel and ingredient statement information for 26 food products across a variety of food categories was assessed along with the availability of additional nutrition-related features such as the ability to filter food search results by nutrition attributes. Means, frequencies, and percentages were calculated. Results Common nutrition-related search filters available on the store websites included organic (10 of 12 stores), gluten free (nine of 12 stores), low in fat (six of 12 stores), and sugar-free/no sugar added (five of 12 stores). Nutrition facts panel information was available on the websites for 42%-100% of the packaged food and 33%-58% of the fresh produce items. Foods with available ingredient information ranged from 25%-100% for packaged foods to 50%-58% for the fresh produce items. Conclusions Nutrition facts panel and ingredient statement information may be less available online for packaged foods than in physical stores where all packaged products must have labels. However, this information was sometimes available online for produce items even though labeling is not required on ‘unpackaged’ foods like fresh produce. Many online stores included nutrition-related features not available or feasible to provide in physical stores. Online grocery shopping marketplaces have the potential to support shoppers in making healthful food purchase decisions. Funding Sources This research was supported by a University of Minnesota Division of Epidemiology and Community Health J.B. Hawley Research Award.
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