The Growing Role of Front-of-Pack Nutrition Profile Labeling: A Consumer Perspective on Key Issues and Controversies

Abstract

Nutrition-related diseases, such as some cancers, heart diseases, and obesity, belong to the most challenging health concerns of our time. Communicating intuitive and simple nutrition information by means of front-of-pack (FOP) nutrition profile signpost labeling is increasingly seen as an essential tool in efforts to combat unhealthy food choices and improve public health. Consequently, much attention in policy and research is given to nutrient profiling methods and the determination of optimal nutrition criteria. Although consumer research on nutrition signpost labeling is now gradually appearing in the literature, the value and meaning of these labeling systems for consumers have received less attention. In the current debate a concise overview is lacking of the consumer perspective, including relevant psychological phenomena, in relation to much debated controversies surrounding these labels and their further development, such as the most effective type of signpost labeling system and varying stakeholder interests. Therefore, this paper aims to critically review the literature in the consumer domain of FOP nutrition labeling in order to illustrate the strengths and weaknesses of this form of nutrition education from a consumer perspective.

Do Health Claims and Front-of-Pack Labels Lead to a Positivity Bias in Unhealthy Foods?

“…In contrast to health claims, FoPLs are considered to provide more of a comprehensive, balanced summary of a food’s healthiness [36]. Multiple FoPLs can and often do exist in a marketplace.…”

Ignorance is bliss. How parents of preschool children make sense of front-of-package visuals and claims on food

“…FOP nutrition labels highlight a few key nutrients but often do so using more than text. Research on FOP nutrition labels has shown that nearly all labels use pictorial or symbolic elements to convey meaning because they are recognized more readily than words (Van Kleef & Dagevos, 2013) and that labels that combine short text claims, graphics, and color are the most effective. Designed this way, these labels are more likely to receive attention when the consumer is under time pressure (Van Herpen & Van Trijp, 2011).…”

Is Information Overrated? Evidence from the Pension Domain

“…Empirical evidence on the effect of information on behavior in various fields of (intertemporal) decision making is mixed, but most studies fail to find a convincing effect. When it comes to food information, Van Kleef and Dagevos (2012) (2008,2011) comes to a similar conclusion: it may even be counterproductive.…”