Front-of-package Labels for Dietary Behavior

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: 1

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how different food package labels affect eating choices. It compares labels that highlight nutrient content, such as saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars, using various designs and colors. Participants will view either no labels or different label designs to help researchers determine which type might encourage healthier eating. Individuals who have dined at a restaurant at least once in the past month and reside in the U.S. may be suitable for this study. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to research that could promote healthier eating habits for many people.

Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems unlikely, as the study focuses on food labels and dietary behavior.

What prior data suggests that these front-of-package label designs are safe for dietary behavior studies?

Research has shown that front-of-package labels are safe for people. These labels, consisting of pictures or symbols on food packages, guide healthier choices. They do not involve medicines or physical procedures, eliminating any risk of harm from participating in studies about them.

Studies have found that these labels can influence purchasing decisions without causing negative effects. They are easy to manage, as they only alter the presentation of information on packages. Past studies have reported no negative effects.

Therefore, if considering participation in a study about front-of-package labels, safety concerns are minimal. The primary focus is on the effectiveness of different label designs, not on any health risks.

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores how different front-of-package labeling styles might influence people’s food choices, potentially leading to healthier eating habits. Unlike traditional labels, which often just list nutritional content, these new labels categorize levels of saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars as "high," "medium," or "low," with some variations using color coding to make the information more intuitive and eye-catching. This approach aims to make it easier for consumers to quickly understand the nutritional quality of food products, possibly encouraging better dietary decisions and improving overall public health.

What evidence suggests that this trial's front-of-package label designs could be effective for influencing dietary behavior?

This trial will compare different front-of-package labeling strategies to assess their influence on dietary behavior. Research has shown that labels on the front of food packages can guide people toward healthier choices. In this trial, participants will encounter various labeling formats. Some will see "High In" labels, which use color codes like red to indicate foods high in unhealthy ingredients such as fat, salt, or sugar. Others will see "Nutrition Info" labels that rate nutrients as high, medium, or low, with some using colors to enhance understanding. The trial also tests black and white versions of these labels for effectiveness. Overall, these labels aim to help people make more informed and healthier food choices.

Who Is on the Research Team?

Jennifer Falbe, ScD, MPH

Principal Investigator

University of California, Davis

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for U.S. residents who are at least 18 years old, have eaten restaurant food in the past month, and speak English. Participants will represent a diverse mix based on gender, race/ethnicity, education level, and age to match U.S. Census data.

Inclusion Criteria

I speak English.

I live in the U.S.

I have eaten food from a restaurant in the past month.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Intervention

Participants view food-and-beverage products with different front-of-package label designs

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Assessment

Participants' understanding and behavior are assessed through selection tasks and healthfulness scoring

Within approximately 5 minutes of intervention exposure

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for any additional feedback or outcomes post-intervention

1-2 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Front-of-package label

Trial Overview The study is testing different types of front-of-package labels on food items to see how they affect consumer behavior. It compares colorful 'High In' labels and black-and-white 'Nutrition Info' labels (with or without percent Daily Value) against no label at all.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Nutrition Info without color, with 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 recommended limit per serving, "medium" as 6-19%, and "low" as 5% or less. The label will also list the exact percent of the daily recommended limit (i.e., daily value) for each nutrient per serving. The label will have a white background and black text.

Group II: Nutrition Info with color 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 recommended limit per serving, "medium" as 6-19%, and "low" as 5% or less. The word "high" will be highlighted red; the word "medium" will be highlighted yellow; and the word "low" will be highlighted green.

Group III: Nutrition Info black and white 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 recommended limit per serving, "medium" as 6-19%, and "low" as 5% or less. The label will have a white background and black text.

Group IV: High-In with color 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, or added sugar) if the item contains 20% or more of the daily recommended limit per serving for each nutrient. The nutrients will be highlighted in red. 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 V: High-In black and white 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, or added sugar) if the item contains 20% or more of the daily recommended limit 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 VI: 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