Can fat taxes and package size restrictions stimulate healthy food choices?

Abstract

Consumers prefer bonus packs, as opposed to price discounts, for healthy foods, but they want a price discount rather than a bonus pack for indulgent foods (Mishra & Mishra, 2011).This study conceptually replicates and extends this finding to show that consumers are more responsive to changes in price than to changes in package size for indulgent food options, whereas they are more responsive to changes in package size than to changes in price for healthy food options.

Reflections on the replication corner: In praise of conceptual replications

“…Extended to new culture and tested mediators of original effect Huyghe & Van Kerckhove (2013) Can fat taxes and package size restrictions stimulate healthy food choices? Mishra and Mishra (2011), J.…”

The Effect of Downsizing Packages of Energy-Dense, Nutrient-Poor Snacks and Drinks on Consumption, Intentions, and Perceptions—A Scoping Review

“…Four studies found adult participants’ intention to consume was significantly lower when snacks were provided in a smaller than a larger package [ 41 , 45 , 46 ]. Participants’ intention or likelihood of purchase was not affected by snack or drink package size in all three studies [ 38 , 47 ]. Two studies assessing perception found that participants considered popcorn served in a smaller package to be ‘healthier’ than when served in a larger size [ 42 ], and they believed the unit price to be higher when the package size became smaller [ 46 ].…”

“…Twelve out of 15 studies examined the effect of potential moderators, including gender ( n = 8), food preference ( n = 5), prior exposure to diet-related materials ( n = 2), dietary restraint ( n = 2), and serving size labelling ( n = 2). Three studies found that the effects of a smaller single package on reducing consumption or intention to consume was more prominent among males than females [ 40 , 45 ], but five other studies did not observe any difference between genders [ 37 , 41 , 44 , 47 ]. Four studies using popcorn observed the tendency to overeat from a larger package was more prominent when children [ 37 ] and adults [ 42 , 43 ] were offered their preferred snacks (for example, fresh popcorn) compared to not preferred (for example, stale popcorn); however, this was not observed in one study in adults [ 39 ].…”

Adding a reward increases the reinforcing value of fruit

“…food taxing), to decrease the variety of unhealthy snack options and to decrease the portion size (4,22,48,49) . To increase the consumption of healthy snacks methods other than rewards include subsidies, increasing variety of healthy snack options and making healthy snacks the default option in restaurants and cafeterias (4,22,48,49) . In addition, it also known that individual characteristics influence the difference in RV of healthy foods and unhealthy foods (3,10,21,22) , the effect of rewarding strategies (15) and in general the RV of food (3)(4)(5)8,20) .…”

“…Known methods to decrease the consumption of unhealthy snacks are to increase the costs (e.g. food taxing), to decrease the variety of unhealthy snack options and to decrease the portion size ( 4 , 22 , 48 , 49 ) . To increase the consumption of healthy snacks methods other than rewards include subsidies, increasing variety of healthy snack options and making healthy snacks the default option in restaurants and cafeterias ( 4 , 22 , 48 , 49 ) .…”