Published: August 2013

ID #: 66952

Journal: J Environ Public Health

Authors: Grigsby-Toussaint DS, Rooney MR

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This article examines the amount and type of food and beverage product packaging-related marketing observed in retail food stores where mothers of young children in the cities of Champaign and Urbana, Ill., said they commonly shop. It assesses differences between marketing practices by store type, store acceptance of  Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) food assistance program benefits, and marketing claims. Researchers found that stores that accepted WIC and convenience stores had higher frequencies of marketing compared with non-WIC and grocery stores. Salty snacks and soda had the highest frequency of marketing claims (83.3%), while fruits and vegetables had the lowest frequency (33.3%). Convenience stores were more likely to have marketing claims for available items compared to grocery stores. Nutrition claims were the most common marketing claim across all food items, followed by taste, suggested use, and convenience. Cartoon or spokes-characters were observed as marketing techniques more often than giveaways or television and movie tie-ins, and were used most often to promote candy.

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