Objectives: This study assessed food label reading habits and understanding of nutrition information on food labels by higher income adults in India. Design: It involved a cross-sectional study using non-probability purposive sampling. Setting: Data were collected by mixed methods approach between March 2019 and February 2020. Adults were selected from housing colonies in four geographical zones of Delhi, India. Method: A total of 589 adults (20–40 years) belonging to upper middle-income and high-income groups were selected. Associations between gender, family income, age, marital status, and label reading habits were assessed using Chi-square tests. Demographic predictors of food label reading habits were identified using binary logistic regression with a level of significance set at p < .05. Results: Participants read the food labels (79%) and noticed the nutrient claims (76%) on food labels. Female participants were more likely to understand nutrition information as compared with male participants (odds ratio [OR] = 1.52, p = .04). Female participants were also more likely to notice the nutrient claims on the packet of food products (OR = 1.99, p < .01) as compared with male participants. The majority of participants found the ‘traffic light scheme’ format easy to understand. Conclusion: Consumers look for nutrition information on food labels. They value healthier food alternatives but most are unable to decipher the nutrition labels. Food labels should communicate the healthfulness of products in a straightforward manner to enable better food choices.

Dietary transition towards an increase in the consumption of energy dense foods, foods high in fat, sugar and salt have led to increased risk of diet related non-communicable diseases. The present study reviewed existing nutrient profiling models, developing were across various parts of the world. A total of 422 studies was identified and finally 33 studies were selected for this review. Papers spanned over a period of 1998-2018. Nutrient profile models rank foods according to healthfulness and were developed to help the consumer in making better food choices. They have also been used to regulate the marketing of food products to children. The objective of using the model determines the composition of the model, the nutrients incorporated, the cut offs used and choice of reference base. Studies have validated few of the existing nutrient profiling models. At present, there is no such universal nutrient profile model that can be applied across the globe.

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Objectives This study was aimed to assess the factors influencing food choices, food label reading habits, and understanding of nutrition information on food labels among adults. Methods The study had a cross-sectional study design with a non-probability purposive sampling technique where adults who engaged in food purchase were selected from housing colonies from four geographical zones of the city. Key informants were contacted and thereafter snowball sampling was applied to collect data using a mixed-methods approach from 589 adults (20–40 years). Statistical analysis was performed with a level of significance P &lt; 0.05. Results The most influential factors affecting food choices were brand (30%), nutritive value (22%), and taste (20%). Food selection depended on whether the adult had a meal with friends or family. Most participants read food labels (79%) and noticed nutrition and health claims (76%) on packaged food items. Most participants (80%) between 20–30 years read food labels and were most influenced by the health claim ‘lowers cholesterol’ (χ2 = 44.5, P &lt; 0.001) compared to 30–40 year olds. Participants belonging to the upper-middle-income group were less likely to value nutrition over taste as compared to the high-income group while choosing food products adjusting for age, marital status, and gender (OR = 0.57, CI:0.381–0.86). Around 77% of participants believed that they understood nutritional information, though most (74%) could not identify whether foods were rich or low in specific nutrients. Females were more likely to understand nutrition information as compared to men (OR = 1.52, CI: 1.01–2.31). Among all the nutrient profiling models shown, the majority found the color-coded ‘traffic light scheme’ format easiest to understand. Conclusions A combination of drivers influences food selection by an adult. The public health policy needs to adopt a food systems approach that brings about change in the food environment. The availability of healthy yet tasty alternatives needs to be encouraged and foods high in fat, salt, and sugar need to be discouraged. The packaging regulations need to ensure that food labels communicate about healthfulness in a simple manner to enable consumers to make better food choices. Funding Sources The first author (S.M.) received a Senior Research Fellowship from the University Grants Commission (India).