Parents’ subjective understanding, use, reasons for non-use and perceived effectiveness of food labelling formats in Germany: a cross-sectional study of the Nutri-score, nutrition information panel and ingredients list

Description

Anja Simmet, Janine Ehret, Nana Ama Frimpomaa Agyapong, and Nanette Stroebele-Benschop asked German parents how they use the label formats competing for attention on food packs. The color-coded Nutri-Score grades foods at a glance, the nutrition panel lists numbers, and the ingredients list names contents. Their online survey reached 978 parents who handle most household shopping and live with children.

Large majorities said they understood each format, and around seven in ten reported using each one. Believing healthy eating works went with more understanding and more use, while feeling swamped by nutrition information pushed both down. Men lagged women on the panel and the ingredients list. Plain lack of interest topped the reasons for ignoring labels. Parents rated the Nutri-Score easiest, yet felt they grasped the panel's information better. The authors suggest future label campaigns work on overload and disinterest rather than basic comprehension.

Catalog record

Source: https://europepmc.org/article/MED/PMC13621598