This project aims to determine the front-of-package label design that is most effective at helping Latino consumers identify and choose healthier products. The project also aims to explore whether the benefits of front-of-package design differ by English proficiency. Participants will include 4,000 US adults of parental age (18-55 years old) who identify as Latino. Participants will complete a between-subjects experiment in which they view products with different front-of-package label designs and answer questions about those products. Participants will be randomized to 1 of 4 front-of-package label conditions in a 1:1:1:1 allocation ratio, including a numerical label and 1 of 3 interpretative labels: an interpretive text-only label, an interpretive icon label with a magnifying glass icon (‘interpretative magnifying glass icon’), and a separated interpretive icon labels with a magnifying glass icon (‘separated interpretative magnifying glass icon’). The primary outcomes will be correct identification of the healthiest product and correct identification of the least healthy product. Secondary outcome will be hypothetical purchase of the healthiest product and correct identification of products high in nutrients of concern. To provide additional insights into optimal front-of-package label design, the research team will also explore whether certain icon designs are perceived as more effective than others
Start Date: March 2024
Organization: University of North Carolina
Project Lead: Marissa Hall, PhD
Focus Areas: Beverages, Food Marketing
Resource Type: Commissioned Research Project Summary
Keyword: Front-of-package labeling
Race/Ethnicity: Latino(a) or Hispanic
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