The purpose of this study is to examine whether front-of-package (FOP) disclosures increase parents’ (of children ages 1-5) ability to accurately identify the amount of juice and the presence of added sugar and non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) in children’s drinks (fruit drinks, flavored waters, 100% juice and diluted juice/water blends). The specific aims are: (1) develop and test alternative FOP disclosure language and format for clarity and ease-of-use; (2) test if the proposed FOP disclosure increases parents’ accuracy in identifying the presence of NNS and added sugar and the percent juice in children’s fruit drinks, flavored water, 100% juice and juice/water blends in different scenarios, including a) on unfamiliar and familiar products; and b) on packages with and without common claims; and (3) test if the proposed disclosure affects parents’ intent to purchase and perceived healthfulness of sweetened and unsweetened drinks.
Start Date: September 2021
ID #: CAS077
Organization: Rudd Center, University of Connecticut
Project Lead: Frances Fleming-Milici, PhD
Age Groups: Adults and Families, Pregnant women, infants and toddlers (ages 0 to 2), Preschool-age children (ages 3 to 5)
Focus Area: Beverages
Resource Type: Commissioned Research Project Summary
Keywords: Front-of-package labeling, Sugar-sweetened beverages
Related Research
November 2023
Effects of a front-of-package disclosure on accuracy in assessing children’s drink ingredients: two randomised controlled experiments with US caregivers of young children
This study aimed to test the effects of a standardized front-of-package (FOP) disclosure statement (indicating added sugar, non-nutritive sweetener (NNS) and juice content) on accuracy in assessing ingredients and perceived healthfulness of children’s drinks. In two randomized controlled experiments, the same participants (six hundred and forty-eight U.S. caregivers of young children ages 1-5 years) viewed MoreJanuary 2025
Healthy Beverage Consumption in School-Age Children and Adolescents: Recommendations from Key National Health and Nutrition Organizations
Given the importance of beverage consumption throughout the lifespan and the need for comprehensive and consistent evidence-based recommendations, Healthy Eating Research (HER) convened an expert panel representing four key national health and nutrition organizations to develop recommendations for beverage consumption consistent with a healthy diet for children and adolescents ages 5 to 18 years. The MoreSeptember 2024