Assessment of the knowledge, attitudes and practices of Lebanese shoppers towards food labeling: The first steps in the Nutri-score roadmap

Abstract

Background: Food labeling is a fundamental educational tool for advocating for public awareness. It emphasizes knowledge of the nutrient content of food and thus directs the choice towards the healthiest food products. This cross-sectional survey aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding nutrition label use in Lebanon through a valid questionnaire. Methods: Overall, 768 participants (mean age: 30.8 ±12, males: 60.2%) were recruited randomly between February and May 2020. We used word of mouth and social media to recruit our sample population. Results: Social media was the most accessed tool to attain nutrition information by responders (39.8%). More than half the participants expressed positive attitudes to check information related to sugars (66.4%), vitamins (64.9%), total fats (61.7%), proteins (59.1%), and calories (58.7%) on the food label. Expiry date, price, and brand name were the top three considerations while reading food labels. About half (46.5%) reported to “always” look at the food label. Responders reported reading labels related primarily to sugars (44.3%), calories (38.8%), and total fats (36.8%). The optimal total KAP score was 46; our findings revealed a mean KAP score of 14.46 ±7 (31.4%). When categorizing the KAP scores, 15% had high scores, and 85% scored low. Spearman’s coefficients showed positive correlations between knowledge-attitude, knowledge-practice, and attitude-practice scores, with p<0.001. The regression analysis revealed that gender, age, BMI, residency area, educational level, university degree, health and diet statuses, and activity level were significant predictors of the KAP score. Being on a diet had the highest odds (OR=3.107, CI=1.904-5.072, p<0.001). Conclusion: The low awareness of food labels leads Lebanese people to choose unhealthy food options. A planned educational program is recommended to ease the interpretation of these labels.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of using food labels among medical students: A cross-sectional study in Haiphong, Vietnam

“…These findings are consistent with similar research conducted in Lebanon. 24 Access to the Internet is affordable in developing countries, and therefore, users have rapidly grown. 25 Vietnam is among the countries with the most Internet users in Asia.…”

Analyzing consumer behaviour towards food and nutrition labeling: A comprehensive review

“…Food labels [ 1 ] provide information on food packaging that helps consumers make informed choices about the food they eat. It is a legal requirement in many countries and typically includes a list of ingredients and nutritional information [ 2 , 3 ] such as the calorie content [ 4 , 5 ], fat [ 6 , 7 ], protein [ 5 , 8 ], and carbohydrate levels [ 9 ], and any specific health claims [ 10 , 11 ] related to the food. The purpose of F&NL is to ensure that consumers have access to accurate and helpful information about the food they buy, which can help them make healthier choices [ 12 ] and manage their diets more effectively.…”

Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Food Labeling and Expiry Date among the Female Health Sciences Students: A Public Health Concern

“…Food labeling information and consumers' level of education impose a large contribution in ensuring consumers about the good and bad effects of food items which they consumed [1]. Although many studies from the Middle East have explored the subject of consumers' awareness of food labels in different population groups however a study on food labels awareness among health science students in the Aseer region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia not much explored [8][9][10][11]. Whereas a study conducted in Riyadh among female students showed the 17.7% frequency of use of food by participants where as 16.8% of respondents never use food labeling before purchasing food items [11].…”