Use of nutrition facts panels and traffic light labelling and perceived healthiness of food: conjoint analysis and cross-sectional survey
Abstract
Purpose
Nutrition labels provide a cost-effective method of conveying nutrition information to consumers. This study aimed to assess the use of nutrition facts panels, knowledge of traffic light labelling (TLL) and perceived healthiness of food items using TLL among consumers.
Design/methodology/approach
A web-based cross-sectional study was conducted among adults in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) (n = 1,322). TLL knowledge score was derived for each participant. Conjoint analysis was used to calculate the utilities and relative importance of the perceived healthiness scores for four attributes (fat, saturated fat, total sugar, salt) at the aggregate level.
Findings
Participants had a positive attitude towards TLL but were less familiar with TLL than the nutrition facts panel (47.4 vs 85.8%). The mean TLL knowledge score was 3.6 out of 7 (51.6%). Younger age, higher education, higher income, and health-related qualifications were associated with higher scores. Conjoint analysis showed that participants tend to choose products with greener labels, especially for sugars (80.1%) and avoid red labels for fats. Sugars had the highest percentage value of relative importance compared to the other attributes (27.1%).
Originality/value
The study outcomes offer valuable insights into the extent of consumer awareness, comprehension and utilization of nutrition facts panels in the UAE. These findings contribute essential knowledge for a deeper understanding of the impact of nutrition labels on consumer behaviour and decision-making in the region.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to thank the Supreme Council for Family Affairs Sharjah, Health Promotion Department, for their support in administering the survey and for all those who participated in this study.
Citation
Cheikh Ismail, L., Radwan, H., Osaili, T., Mustafa, E.H., Nasereddin, F.M., Saleh, H.J., Matar, S.A., Saleh, S.T., Mohamad, M.N., Al Daour, R., Al Rajaby, R., Saif, E.R., Stojanovska, L. and Al Dhaheri, A.S. (2024), "Use of nutrition facts panels and traffic light labelling and perceived healthiness of food: conjoint analysis and cross-sectional survey", British Food Journal, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/BFJ-08-2023-0763
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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