Front-of-package Labels for Nutrition Knowledge

Overseen By Brittany Lemmon

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of California, Davis

Disqualifiers: Failing attention check, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to understand how different front-of-package labels influence perceptions of food and drink healthiness. Researchers seek to determine if labels such as "high in saturated fat" or those displaying daily value percentages assist shoppers in making healthier choices. Participants will encounter either no labels or various types of labels, some featuring bold colors or specific nutrient information. This study is ideal for U.S. residents who speak English and wish to contribute to the improvement of food labeling. As an unphased study, it offers a unique opportunity to support research that could lead to more informed food choices for everyone.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that these front-of-package labels are safe for consumer use?

Research has shown that front-of-package (FoP) labels are safe for consumers. These labels, which provide information about nutrients like salt, added sugar, and unhealthy fats, aim to guide healthier food choices. Studies have found that people generally accept these labels well, with no reports of problems from reading or using them.

Additionally, research supports that these labels help people quickly identify unhealthy foods. This indicates that the labels are not only safe but also effective in promoting better food choices. While some individuals might initially misunderstand certain labels, this does not lead to any health issues. Overall, FoP labels offer a safe way to encourage healthier eating habits. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores how front-of-package labels can improve nutrition knowledge and potentially encourage healthier food choices. Unlike traditional nutrition facts that are often complex and located on the back of packages, these labels aim to provide clear and immediate information right on the front. The trial is testing different styles, like plain labels, red-highlighted labels, and multiple black box labels, to see which is most effective at grabbing attention and conveying whether a product is high in nutrients like saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars. By simplifying nutrition information, these labels could empower consumers to make informed dietary decisions quickly and easily.

What evidence suggests that this trial's front-of-package labels could be effective for improving nutrition knowledge?

Research has shown that front-of-package (FOP) nutrition labels help people assess a product's healthiness. This trial will compare different FOP label styles. Participants in one arm will see labels listing "high," "medium," or "low" for nutrients like saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars, along with percent Daily Value information. Another arm will feature similar labels, but with the word "high" highlighted in red. Other participants will see labels stating "High In [nutrient]" for items with high nutrient content, either in plain text or within a black box. Studies have found that these labels stand out more than the usual nutrition panels, making it easier for people of all income levels to choose healthier foods. FOP labels can also encourage companies to make their products healthier. Overall, FOP labels provide quick and easy nutrition information that supports better eating choices. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Jennifer Falbe

Principal Investigator

University of California, Davis

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals interested in nutrition who will evaluate different types of front-of-package labels. The study aims to understand how these labels affect people's ability to identify healthy and unhealthy food options, as well as their perceptions of the products' healthfulness.

Inclusion Criteria

English-speaking

U.S. residents

My demographics match the U.S. 2023 Census data on gender, race, education, and age.

Exclusion Criteria

Failing the attention check question

Completing the survey in less than one-third of the median completion time (median time calculated when 90% of responses are collected and will be based on the median time of completed questionnaires)

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants are exposed to different front-of-package label designs and a no-label control to assess their ability to identify nutrient profiles and perceived healthfulness.

1 week

Online survey participation

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for their responses and data analysis is conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the labels.

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Front-of-package label

Trial Overview The study is testing five different labeling approaches: FDA's Nutrition Info with %DV, Nutrition Info with a red 'high' indicator, FDA's High In label, multiple High In labels for each nutrient, and a no-label control group. Participants will compare these to determine which helps best identify healthier food choices.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Plain High In Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will see packaged food and beverage items displaying front-of-package labels that say, "High In \[nutrient\]" (nutrients: saturated fat, sodium, and/or added sugars) if the item contains 20% or more of the Daily Value per serving for each nutrient. The label will have a white background and black text. If the item is not high in 1 or 2 of the nutrients, the nutrient(s) will not be on the label. If the item is not high in any of the 3 nutrients, the product will not display this label.

Group II: Nutrition Info with Red "High" Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will see packaged food and beverage items displaying front-of-package labels that list "high", "medium", or "low" for saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars. "High" is defined as 20% or more of the Daily Value per serving, "medium" as 6-19%, and "low" as 5% or less. The label will have a white background and black text, except for the word "high," which will be in white font and highlighted red.

Group III: Nutrition Info Percent Daily Value Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will see packaged food and beverage items displaying front-of-package labels that list "high", "medium", or "low" for saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars. "High" is defined as 20% or more of the Daily Value per serving, "medium" as 6-19%, and "low" as 5% or less. The label will also list the percent Daily Value for each nutrient per serving. The label will have a white background and black text.

Group IV: Multiple Black Box High In Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will see packaged food and beverage items displaying front-of-package labels that say, "High In \[nutrient\]" (nutrients: saturated fat, sodium, and/or added sugars) if the item contains 20% or more of the Daily Value per serving for each nutrient. Each nutrient will have it's own label, a black box with white text. If the item is not high in a nutrient, it will not display the black box label for that nutrient. If the item is not high in any of the 3 nutrients, the product will not display any labels.

Group V: No-label Control Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants will see packaged food and beverage items with no front-of-package labels (other than any posted by the manufacturer).

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of California, Davis

Lead Sponsor

Trials

958

Recruited

4,816,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10537255/

The Role of Front-of-Package Nutrition Labels with and ... Overall, existing research demonstrates that FOP labels across formats are effective at raising consumer awareness around product healthfulness ...

2. fda.gov fda.gov/food/nutrition-food-labeling-and-critical-foods/front-package-nutrition-labeling

Front-of-Package Nutrition Labeling The FDA is proposing to require a front-of-package (FOP) nutrition label on most packaged foods to provide accessible, at-a-glance information.

3. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S019566632300140X

Impact of front-of-pack nutrition labelling in consumer ... The review suggests FOPLs are more visible than the nutrition information panel and may guide healthier food choices for people of all SES backgrounds.

4. cspi.org cspi.org/page/front-package-nutrition-labeling

Front-of-package nutrition labeling Front-of-package nutrition labels (FOPNL) are labels required on the front of packaged foods to give consumers basic nutrition information in a way that is ...

5. annualreviews.org annualreviews.org/content/journals/10.1146/annurev-nutr-011224-030917

The Potential Effectiveness of Front-of-Pack Nutrition ... Nutrition labeling on the front of food packages can support more healthful purchase decisions and encourage favorable reformulation.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9866720/

Consumers' Perceptions of the Design of Front-of-Package ... Participants preferred the black shield label showing a high content of the nutrients of concern (e.g., sodium, added sugar, and saturated fat) ...

7. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0963996925002546

Impact of warning label shapes on perceived healthfulness ... This study examined the impact of FOP nutrient warnings on potato chip perceptions, considering the warning's shape.

8. fda.gov fda.gov/media/175617/download

Front of Package Labeling Literature Review - April 2023 One Chilean study (Mediano Stoltze, 2021) examined consumer perception of the co-occurrence of Warning Labels and nutrient content marketing claims because in.

9. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2022.936802/full

Consumers' Perception About Front of Package Food ... The consumers have low and wrong perceptions about FoP labels in their food items which is not good for the health of the common people.

10. globalfoodresearchprogram.org globalfoodresearchprogram.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/FOP_Factsheet_HSR_update.pdf

Front-of-Package (FOP) Food Labelling Prior evidence supports nutrient warning labels​​ These labels help consumers quickly and easily identify unhealthy foods and drinks and make healthier choices ...