Added Sugar Warning Labels for Health Behaviors

Overseen By Violet Noe, MPH, RDN

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Disqualifiers: Living with another participant

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 4

Duration: 4 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests whether warning labels about added sugar on sugary drinks can change buying habits. Participants will see either a warning label or a regular label on drinks in an experimental store and will shop for beverages over four visits. It suits anyone who has bought sugary drinks at least once in the past week and can attend four in-person appointments. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to important research on consumer behavior and public health.

What prior data suggests that this method is safe for participants?

Research has shown that warning labels about added sugar influence purchasing decisions and perceptions. These labels increase awareness of sugar content in drinks and alter beliefs about the health risks of sugary drinks, such as weight gain and heart disease.

No known risks or side effects result from viewing these warning labels. The studies primarily examine changes in shopping habits and opinions, not physical effects. Thus, no evidence suggests that these labels cause harm. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the added sugar warning labels because they offer a unique approach to influencing health behaviors by directly informing consumers about the sugar content in foods. Unlike traditional dietary guidelines or nutritional counseling, these labels provide immediate, easy-to-understand information right on the packaging, potentially prompting healthier choices in real-time. This method targets consumer awareness and decision-making at the point of purchase, which could lead to more significant changes in dietary habits compared to existing strategies.

What evidence suggests that added sugar warning labels are effective for influencing health behaviors?

Research shows that warning labels about added sugars can change behavior and reduce sugary beverage consumption. In this trial, participants will see either an added sugar warning label or a control label. Studies have found that clear warnings often lead people to rethink their choices and select healthier drinks. In trials where sugary drinks displayed added sugar warnings, participants purchased fewer of these drinks compared to those who saw no warnings. This suggests that added sugar warning labels effectively encourage healthier drink choices by increasing awareness of sugar content.

Who Is on the Research Team?

Marissa Hall, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Lindsey Smith Taillie, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This study is for adults who regularly buy sugary drinks, at least once in the past week, and are willing to attend four study appointments. It's not open to those living with someone already participating in the trial.

Inclusion Criteria

Bought sugary drinks from a store at least once during the past week

Willing to attend 4 in-person study appointments

I am 18 years old or older.

Exclusion Criteria

Living in the same household as someone else in the study

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 week

Treatment

Participants view added sugar warning labels or control labels on sugary drinks and shop in an experimental store

4 weeks

4 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in sugary drink consumption and perceptions

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Added sugar warning

Trial Overview

The study tests if warning labels about added sugars on sugary drink packaging influence buying choices. Participants will see either these warnings or control labels while shopping in a simulated store environment during four visits.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Control label Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Group II: Added sugar warning Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,588

Recruited

4,364,000+

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

Collaborator

Trials

2,513

Recruited

4,366,000+

Citations

1.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9236625/

Perceived Effectiveness of Added-Sugar Warning Label ...

Warning labels may also improve health behaviors by shifting attitudes, beliefs, intentions and social norms and by encouraging product reformulation.

2.

ajpmonline.org

ajpmonline.org/article/S0749-3797(23)00071-5/fulltext

Online RCT of Icon Added-Sugar Warning Labels for ...

This study examined the impacts of added-sugar warning labels on hypothetical choices, knowledge of items' added-sugar content, and perceptions of high-added- ...

3.

sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0091743522001384#!

Perceived effectiveness of added-sugar warning label ...

Warning labels may also improve health behaviors by shifting attitudes, beliefs, intentions and social norms (Grummon and Hall, 2020; Hammond et al., 2006) ...

4.

publications.aap.org

publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/137/2/e20153185/52766/The-Influence-of-Sugar-Sweetened-Beverage-Health

The Influence of Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Health ...

We also found that the labels increased parents' perceptions of the child's risk of weight gain, heart disease, and diabetes from consuming SSBs ...

5.

cspi.org

cspi.org/press-release/warning-labels-restaurant-menus-reduced-likelihood-consumers-would-order-high-sugar

Warning labels on restaurant menus reduced likelihood ...

In a randomized controlled trial, researchers found that warning labels reduced the probability of ordering a high-added-sugar item by 2.2%.