Nutrition cues on ready-to-drink alcoholic beverage containers sold in grocery stores in Québec City, Canada

Demers-Potvin, Élisabeth; Gaucher-Holm, Alexa; Hobin, Erin; Provencher, Véronique; Niquette, Manon; Bélanger-Gravel, Ariane; Vanderlee, Lana

doi:10.1016/j.pmedr.2023.102164

Cited by 3 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…Perceiving alcoholic beverages with NCC as healthy and associated with health-and weight-related consumer characteristics is problematic because, although RTD beverages may be relatively lower in calories and sugars than other types of beverages without these claims [14,56], these products still contain ethanol, a carcinogenic and addictive substance. RTD beverages range between 4% and 7% in ethanol volume, which is lower strength than traditional spirits and wine yet similar to beer and cider [13,14].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Each label condition varied by the presence/absence of NCC, a HWL and a nutrition declaration (ND). Condition 1 included a label with both a calorie and a sugars content claim on the principal panel, as these were the most prevalent NCC in audits of RTD beverages in Canada and Australia and are often shown together [13, 14]. The NCC represented the actual calorie and sugars contents in RTD products.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Alcohol industry reports show intentions to highlight the health-oriented nutritional attributes of select alcoholic beverages as a marketing strategy to reassure consumers about the safety of alcohol and increase sales [9,11,12]. Although lower calorie alcohol, such as 'light' beer, is not new, the global alcohol industry now features health-oriented nutrition information on the principal panel of select alcohol containers and advertising such products as promoting healthier lifestyles [13,14]. This health-oriented product positioning may be more appealing to certain population subgroups, such as women and young adults, who may have greater alcohol-related body image concerns and weight-control and/or health-oriented motivations [12,15,16].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Data from Canada and Australia indicate 35% to 50% of RTD beverages (e.g. hard seltzers and sodas), beer and cider display these claims on containers [13,14]. RTD beverages are the fastest growing alcohol category in volume sales in Canada and Australia, although a smaller market share than beer, wine and spirits [17,18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Can a health warning label diminish the persuasive effects of health‐oriented nutrition advertising on ready‐to‐drink alcohol product packaging? A randomized experiment

Hobin,

Thielman,

Forbes

et al. 2024

Addiction

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Background and aimsA health warning label (HWL) cautioning about the link between alcohol and cancer may be able to communicate alcohol risks to consumers and potentially counter health‐oriented nutrition advertising on ready‐to‐drink alcoholic beverages. This study aimed to examine the independent and combined effects of nutrient content claims (e.g. 0 g sugar) and a HWL on perceived product characteristics and intentions to consume, and whether these effects differed by gender and age.DesignA between‐subjects randomized experiment. Participants were randomized to view one of six experimental label conditions: nutrient content claims plus nutrition declaration (NCC + ND), ND only, NCC + ND + HWL, ND + HWL, HWL only and no NCC, ND or HWL, all on a ready‐to‐drink (RTD) vodka‐based soda container.Setting and participantsAlcohol consumers (n = 5063; 52% women) in Canada aged 18–64 recruited through a national online panel.MeasurementsParticipants completed ratings of perceived product characteristics, perceived product health risks, and intentions to try, buy, binge and drink the product.FindingsCompared with the reference condition NCC + ND (current policy scenario in Canada), the other five experimental label conditions were associated with lower ratings for perceiving the product as healthy. All experimental conditions with a HWL were associated with lower product appeal, higher risk perceptions and reduced intentions to try, buy and binge. The experimental condition with a HWL only was associated with intentions to consume fewer cans in the next 7 days (β = −0.72, 95% confidence interval [CI] = −1.37,−0.08) versus the reference. Few interactions were observed, suggesting that label effects on outcomes were similar by gender and age.ConclusionsHealth warning labels on alcohol packaging appear to be associated with lower product appeal, higher perceived health risks and reduced consumption intentions, even in the presence of nutrient content claims.

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