Decoding the Labels: Navigating Through the Complexities of Nutrition Labels for Healthier Food Choices
Dr. Natalina Zlatevska
One of the questions that I am frequently asked, and have struggled to answer, is what constitutes a healthy diet. Despite 15 years of research into healthy food consumption, I find it challenging to provide a definitive response. Navigating the supermarket aisles in an attempt to make healthy food choices can be quite complicated.
Obesity has become a critical global public health crisis, and post-pandemic, obesity levels have reached unprecedented heights. It is imperative that we empower individuals with the tools to make informed decisions about their food choices. Consumers require clear guidance on how to select healthy products. The current nutrition labeling efforts are inadequate and fail to effectively communicate whether a food item is detrimental to one's health. It is evident that we need evidence-backed action to address this issue urgently.
In our systematic review, my colleagues and I analyzed hundreds of international studies on the efficacy of nutrition labeling. Surprisingly, we discovered that nutrition labeling, on average, is largely ineffective in preventing individuals from choosing unhealthy processed foods. However, our findings indicate that food labeling is just one piece of the puzzle in the broader context of health literacy. Deciphering, and comprehending, food labels can be challenging for consumers. The excessive information provided on most food labels often proves difficult to interpret, and the complexity of such labels undermines their effectiveness.
Based on our review of existing research, we found that nutrition labels framed to encourage consumers to consume more healthy food items generally have a greater influence than interventions aimed at discouraging the consumption of unhealthy foods. However, we did come across a notable exception in the form of large graphic warning labels prominently displayed on packaging. Countries like Chile, Peru, and Israel have implemented "stop sign" warning labels on foods high in sugar or fat, which have shown the most significant impact on consumption compared to other label types. These findings align with previous research that emphasizes the importance of public awareness campaigns using warning signs to highlight the adverse consequences of excessive consumption of fat, sugar, and sodium. Conversely, other forms of food labeling, such as the "Health Star Rating" system used in Australia, only moderately influence consumers to choose healthier options, and they prove less effective in deterring the purchase of unhealthy items. It is clear that unless a food product features a prominent warning label explicitly stating, "this will harm you," consumers are likely to ignore it. On the other hand, labeling a food as beneficial to health has a more positive impact. In summary, our research affirms that a promotion approach tends to be more successful than a prevention approach.
Although the overall impact of nutrition labels may be modest, our review of the literature identifies promising avenues for future public policy interventions. Evidence suggests that nutrition labels designed to facilitate the identification of healthier food items from supermarket shelves tend to be more effective than labels aimed at discouraging the consumption of unhealthy foods. Among labels designed to deter the consumption of unhealthy items, large stop sign warning labels prove to be the most successful. Our research sheds light on the complexity surrounding nutrition labeling interventions. While we have identified promising paths for public policy, it is clear that further development of improved nutrition labeling interventions is necessary to address the global obesity problem.
Overall, the concept of what is considered healthy remains elusive, but by enhancing nutrition labeling systems and implementing impactful interventions, we can pave the way toward healthier food choices and combat the global obesity crisis.
Article Details
Navigating Through Nutrition Labeling Effects: A Second-Order Meta-Analysis
Natalina Zlatevska, Belinda Barton, Chris Dubelaar, Jan Hohberger
First Published February 3, 2023 Research Article
DOI: 10.1177/07439156231158115
Journal of Public Policy and Marketing
About the Author
