Compared to other front-of-pack nutrition labels, the Nutri-Score emerged as the most efficient to inform Swiss consumers on the nutritional quality of food products

Abstract

Background Switzerland, like other high-income countries, is facing a major public health challenge with the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases. Discussions are currently ongoing in Switzerland regarding the implementation of a Front-of-Pack nutrition label (FoPL) as a public health measure to guide consumers towards healthier food choices, and the Nutri-Score represents an alternative supported by multiple actors. To date, no studies have investigated the performance of the Nutri-Score among Swiss consumers. This study aimed to compare the response of Swiss consumers to five FoPLs (Health Star Rating system, Multiple Traffic Lights, Nutri-Score, Reference Intakes and Warning symbol) in terms of perception and understanding of these labels and effects on food choices. Methods In 2019, 1,088 Swiss consumers were recruited and asked to select one product from among a set of three foods with different nutritional profiles and then classify the products within the sets according to their nutritional quality. Tasks were performed in situations without a label and then with one of the five FoPLs-depending on the group in which they were randomized-on the pack. Finally, participants were questioned on their perceptions regarding the label to which they were exposed. Results All FoPLs were favorably perceived, with marginal differences between FoPLs. The Nutri-Score demonstrated the highest percentage of improvement in food choices and the highest overall performance in helping consumers rank the products according to their nutritional quality.

Effectiveness of Different Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labels among Italian Consumers: Results from an Online Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Compared to the RIs, the Nutri-Score was the FoPL that produced the largest increase in participants' ability to correctly rank the nutritional quality of products, followed by the HSR. These results are consistent with the findings based on the FOP-ICE study, where the Nutri-Score was observed as the best scheme to help participants identify the nutritional quality of products in different countries, including European countries: Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom [19,22,25,26]. Notably, similar results were observed in Spain, another Mediterranean country with a similar food context and dietary behaviors as Italy [19].…”

Front-of-Package Food Labeling to Reduce Caries: Economic Evaluation

“…While the exact effect size of food labeling on the consumption of foods with added sugar remains unclear, the Nutri-Score scheme was found to have greater effects on German consumers’ behavior than other types of food labels (Egnell et al 2018). Considering that Nutri-Score was recently reported to effectuate a 10.6% improvement in food choices away from sugar-containing products (Egnell et al 2020), and such an effect size is larger than assumed in our model, our findings might be considered lower-bound estimates for the impact of Nutri-Score on reducing sugar-attributable caries burdens.…”

Individual’s Own Consent and External Support Shape Consumer Decision towards Healthy Packaged Food Intention

“…Moreover, it has been observed that consumer do not consult food label information at time of purchase due to education, lack of confidence and lifestyle. Studies have suggested examining the effectiveness of food label information for the selection of right amount of nutrients (Egnell et al, 2020;Ajmal & Kumar, 2021). Although food processing companies are promoting healthy food awareness with food label information but majority of consumer consider food label as marketing tool.…”