Development of Criteria for a Positive Front-of-Package Food Labeling: The Israeli Case

Gillon-Keren, Michal; Kaufman‐Shriqui, Vered; Goldsmith, Rebecca; Safra, Carmit; Shai, Iris; Fayman, Gila; Berry, Elliot M.; Tirosh, Amir; Dicker, Dror; Froy, Oren; Gordon, E.‐S.; Ben-Yosef, Anat Chavia Chavia; Nitsan, Lesley; Altman, Hava; Blaychfeld-Magnazi, Moran; Endevelt, Ronit

doi:10.3390/nu12061875

Cited by 26 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 63 publications

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“…In fact, an important policy step that may be useful in achieving this goal is implementation of Israel’s recent front-of-package labeling reform. Front-of-package labeling uses two colors: red to signify a mandatory warning and green (voluntary) to signify food that complies with national nutrition recommendations [ 19 , 29 ]. The new red/green labels are much easier for consumers to notice and read, hence potentially increasing consumers’ perceived confidence in understanding the information on nutrition labels and in turn encouraging them to purchase healthier products.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Determinants of Israeli consumers’ decision to use food label information more frequently: a national survey study

Shahrabani

2021

Isr J Health Policy Res

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Background Food labeling to encourage healthier food choices may have positive long-term effects. Yet previous studies point to challenges in terms of how consumers understand and use labeling information. The current study seeks to determine how psychological factors related to health and nutrition, food label perceptions, nutrition habits and sociodemographic factors are associated with consumers’ decisions to seek and use the information on nutrition food labels more frequently. Methods The survey was conducted by a polling company in Israel between November 11 and December 12, 2019. Participants comprised a representative sample of the adult population in Israel age 21 and over. A total of 513 people returned the completed questionnaires, which included the following parts: personal details; frequency of searching for information on food product labels; perceived health risks of foods high in sodium, sugar and saturated fats; Health Belief Model constructs related to food labeling. The statistical analysis entailed ordinal logistics regressions. Results While 59.3% of the sample reported that the information on food labels often or always affects their decision to purchase a food product, more than 20% reported often or always consuming products that are high in sugar (32.0%), saturated fats (31.3%) and salt (20.4%). The results of the analytical model show the following HBM variables to be significantly associated with frequency of using information on food labels: higher levels of perceived benefit (OR = 1.72, CI 95% = 1.12–2.64); higher confidence in reading and understanding food labels (OR = 2.48, CI 95% = 1.62–3.78); and higher perceptions of the importance of nutrition (OR = 2.76, CI 95% =1.97–3.87). In addition, women and married people were found to use food label information more frequently. Conclusions General public information campaigns and HMOs campaigns with messages to motivate the use of food labels should emphasize the benefits of using labels to select food products. These messages should aim at increasing individuals’ perceived confidence in understanding the information on nutrition labels. The recent front-of-package labeling reform could be an important policy step for achieving healthier nutrition.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Determinants of Israeli consumers’ decision to use food label information more frequently: a national survey study

Shahrabani

2021

Isr J Health Policy Res

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“…In addition to one triangle containing an exclamation point (to signal warning) [ 23 ], the box contained additional triangles(s) with text about excessive levels of a nutrient (EXCESS SUGARS) as well as an iconic depiction of the nutrient (e.g., the sugar label included a tablespoon of sugar). Similar to the current labeling system implemented in Israel [ 24 ], the final warning consisted of a black circle with the text high in added (nutrient) (e.g., HIGH IN ADDED SUGARS), with an iconic depiction in the center (e.g., the sugar label included cubes of sugar). For ease of reporting, hereafter we refer to each warning primarily by its shape (e.g., the octagon, triangle, or circle warning).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Designing an Effective Front-of-Package Warning Label for Food and Drinks High in Added Sugar, Sodium, or Saturated Fat in Colombia: An Online Experiment

Taillie¹,

Hall²,

Gómez

et al. 2020

Nutrients

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Policies to require warnings on the front of food and drinks high in nutrients of concern (e.g., added sugar, sodium, or saturated fat) are becoming increasingly common as an obesity prevention strategy. Colombia, a country with growing prevalence of obesity, is considering implementing a similar policy. The objective of this study was to assess perceptions and reactions to different warning designs. We conducted a randomized experiment in an online panel of adults age > 18y (n = 1997). Participants were randomized to view one of four labels: a control label (barcode), an octagon warning, a circle warning, and a triangle warning. Participants viewed their randomly assigned label on a series of products and answered questions (continuous outcomes ranged from 1–4). Compared to the control, all warnings led to higher perceived message effectiveness (increase in mean from 1.79 in the control to 2.59–2.65 in the warning conditions, p < 0.001), a higher percentage of participants who correctly identified products high in nutrients of concern (from 48% in the control condition to 84–89% in the warning conditions, p < 0.001), and reduced intentions to purchases these products (decrease in mean from 2.59 to 1.99–2.01 in the warning conditions, p < 0.001). Relative to the control, warnings performed similarly across education levels, suggesting this policy would be equitable in Colombia. Looking at differences by warning type, the pattern of results suggested that the octagon warnings performed best. After viewing all label types, 49% of participants selected the octagon warning as the one that most discouraged them from consuming products high in nutrients of concern, while 21% and 27% selected the circle and triangle warning. Colombian policymakers should consider the octagon warning as part of a front-of-package labeling policy to help consumers identify and reduce consumption of foods and drinks high in nutrients of concern.

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“…Additionally, some products are marked with a voluntary green label to indicate that their ingredients are on a list of healthier alternatives approved by the Ministry of Health. In fact, before the policy was enacted estimates indicated that 14.1% of food products from all food groups were eligible for negative FOP labels, 19.8% for positive FOP labels and 63.8% for no FOP labels at all [ 10 ]. The current study seeks to examine the impact of the new FOP labeling reform on consumers' decision-making regarding food purchases.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of Israel’s Front-of-Package labeling reform on consumers' behavior and intentions to change dietary habits

Shahrabani

2021

Isr J Health Policy Res

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Background In January 2020, Israel launched a reform mandating Front-of-Package (FOP) labeling on food products. The current study examined the factors affecting consumers’ decision-making regarding the use of FOP labels a year after the reform was implemented. Methods The survey was conducted between December 2020 and January 2021 and included a sample of 507 participants age 21 and over. The questionnaire included Health Belief Model (HBM) constructs related to food labeling, nutrition habits, media exposure and extent of support for the reform, frequency of using FOP labels, intention to change purchasing and consumption habits in the coming year, and personal details. Results The study found that 58.5% reported using the FOP labels to some extent. In addition, 70% indicated willingness to change to healthier products in the coming year. The results of the analytical model confirm the validity of the HBM and the other behavioral constructs. In particular, the frequency of using FOP labels increases as the following factors increase: levels of perceived benefits and perceived importance of reading FOP labels, level of perceived importance of healthy nutrition, frequency of conforming to healthy nutrition, and support for the reform. Conclusions The study's findings are important for understanding the impact of the new reform and for guiding future complementary actions to increase people’s motivation to use FOP labels. More advertisement about the FOP labels in the media and also through the HMOs is needed to increase people’s awareness of the reform. In addition, information about the reform provided to the public should emphasize the benefits and health implications of using FOP labels.

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Development of Criteria for a Positive Front-of-Package Food Labeling: The Israeli Case

Cited by 26 publications

References 63 publications

Determinants of Israeli consumers’ decision to use food label information more frequently: a national survey study

Determinants of Israeli consumers’ decision to use food label information more frequently: a national survey study

Designing an Effective Front-of-Package Warning Label for Food and Drinks High in Added Sugar, Sodium, or Saturated Fat in Colombia: An Online Experiment

The impact of Israel’s Front-of-Package labeling reform on consumers' behavior and intentions to change dietary habits

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