The objective of this study was to examine the impact front-of-package nutrition labels (FOPLs) have on decision-making abilities among low-income parents in a virtual supermarket. A 4-by-2 experimental design with 3 FOPLs (summary, nutrient-specific, hybrid) and a no-FOPL comparison was employed. The study took place using a web-based, 3-dimensional virtual supermarket. Parents (n = 1,452) from low-income households with at least 1 child aged 4−12 years participated. The study found that all FOPLs led to healthier nutrient profiles than the no-FOPL condition. Simple FOPLs (ie, summary, hybrid) led to healthier nutrient profiles than nutrient-specific FOPLs. Among parents exposed to simple FOPLs, those under time pressure made less healthy choices than those who were not under time pressure.
Age Group: Adults and Families
Focus Area: Food Retail
Keywords: Front-of-package labeling, Supermarket
Resource Type: Journal Article
State: National
Related Research
December 2015
Evaluating Front-of-Package Nutrition Labels on Low-Income Parents’ Comprehension of Product Healthfulness and on Consumers’ Purchasing Decisions
The aim of this study is to evaluate different Front-Of-Package labeling systems to determine which may lead consumers to make healthier purchasing decisions and increase consumer comprehension of product healthfulness. RTI Interntational has developed a virtual store environment, iSHOPPE™, which is a web-based three-dimensional consumer research tool that provides the benefit of having a realistic MoreNovember 2023
Understanding the Chasm in the Diffusion of Online Food Benefit Ordering: A Service Ecosystem Approach
Although consumers used online grocery shopping more frequently to limit exposure to the COVID-19 virus during the pandemic, the participants of some federal nutrition assistance programs lacked the option to redeem their food benefits online. Some retailers were pilot-testing online food benefit ordering for the participants of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, MoreOctober 2023