Effect of Personalized Incentives on Dietary Quality of Groceries Purchased

Abstract

Key Points Question Does a semiautomated, personalized, healthy food incentive intervention improve grocery purchase dietary quality and percentage spending in targeted food groups? Findings In this randomized clinical crossover trial of 209 adult participants, healthy food incentives personalized according to customer data were associated with a small but significant improvement in grocery purchase quality and percentage spending on targeted food groups. Meaning A personalized healthy food incentive intervention increased grocery purchase quality and may be a promising population-based strategy for improving dietary intake.

The Availability and Quality of Food Labelling Components in the Canadian E-Grocery Retail Environment

“…Consistent with other studies [ 15 ], we found consumer-friendly features (e.g., re-purchase or ‘save’ foods), easy search functions for specific foods and beverages, and filter options based on dietary preferences (e.g., kosher, vegetarian, gluten free) or other factors (e.g., price, popularity) available to improve the shopping experience through customizations, using personal and other data collected from consumers. E-grocery retail platforms can also have the opportunity to promote healthy purchasing behaviors, by providing ‘healthier’ alternative product recommendations [ 37 ], exclusive online coupons or incentives [ 38 , 39 ], price discounts for ‘healthier’ foods [ 40 ], and/or nutrition messages targeted for consumers’ shopping behaviors. The use of accurate product descriptions and recommendations are also needed to ensure consumers are protected against misleading information, through an increased scope of the current food labelling regulations and/or establishment of new regulations specific for e-grocery retailers.…”

Improving Interventions on Cardiovascular Disease and Diet: A Policy Incentive Analysis

“…Reference [28] stated significant results of increased purchase of plant foods, specifically fruits, after incentives and disincentives. Reference [29] stated a data system was used as a mechanism to customize incentives. Reference [30] stated impact of financial incentives that changed patterns of food purchases.…”

“…Reference [29], a clinical randomized trial pilot study, evidence level I-A, stated substantial, robust evidence in advanced, smart technological designs as electronic incentive coupons to dissipate customized, healthy diet incentives to enhance nutrition in diverse communities. The 209 participants were provided a 5% incentive and nutrition education with incomes ≥$100,000.…”

“…An automated consumer data system was used as a mechanism to customize incentives. Evi-S. Hurst DOI: 10.4236/health.2023.156038 582 Health dence revealed that customized healthy food incentives enhanced grocery shopping even for high-income participants with high-level nutrition increased the possibility to impact the use of this smart technology for the disadvantaged to improve dietary habits [29]. This study was rated as Quality A evidence; even small incentives for the high income can significantly improve healthy food intake outcomes [13].…”