Nutritional value and economic worth perceptions gained from label ingredient information and consumer confidence in information provided on food labels in the United States.

摘要

If adopted in the United States (US), quantitative ingredient declaration (QUID) also known as "percentage labeling" could enhance consumer welfare by helping consumers improve their diets and by allowing for brand comparisons. Understanding food labels is vital to all; however, many studies have found that food product label information in the U.S. is confusing for consumers. Current U.S. food laws require ingredient listings in predominance of weight order and nutrition labeling on most foods, and QUID is not required. To date, no research has been reported that evaluates consumer perception of food products when labeled with QUID.; This pilot study investigated consumer perception of several constructs: nutritional value, economic worth, confidence in food label information, and trust in a food manufacturer. The experimental design provided respondents with food labels containing varying types of information, presented in random order. Identical products were obtained in the US and from the United Kingdom (UK), but country of origin was not identified. One label shown to subjects contained the front panel of the U.S. food product, while another label contained the same front panel but also included an ingredient listing by predominance of weight order, and the remaining label contained the front panel of the U.K. food product and included QUID. A questionnaire was designed to elicit consumer food label perception responses, and general food label and demographic information. Two modes of survey administration were incorporated; a print survey administered face-to-face and an electronic survey. A total of 259 subjects in Union County, Ohio participated in the print survey and 173 Auburn University GroupWiseRTM WebAccess e-mail account members participated in the e-mail survey. Comprehensive factor analysis was performed and repeated measure analysis of variance was used to analyze the collected data and empirically test the proposed research hypotheses.; The results indicated that consumer perception was impacted by exposure to QUID for a given food product. More specifically, QUID significantly impacted consumer belief in the amount of fruit present, consumer perception of nutritional value and economic worth of a food product, and trust in the food manufacturer.; These findings will support the efforts of consumer groups lobbying for QUID adoption in the US. Results from this research provide both added justification for QUID legislation to be enacted and evidence for improving accuracy of food label information.