Consumers’ Response to an On‐Shelf Nutrition Labelling System in Supermarkets: Evidence to Inform Policy and Practice

摘要

Policy Points: class="unordered" style="list-style-type:disc" id="milq12277-list-0001">On‐shelf nutrition labelling systems in supermarkets, such as the Guiding Stars system, are intended to provide consumers with simple, standardized nutrition information to support more informed and healthier food choices. Policies that support the provision of simplified nutrition labelling systems may encourage consumers to make positive shifts in food‐purchasing behaviors.The shifts in consumer food‐purchasing patterns observed in our study after the introduction of the Guiding Stars system in supermarkets translated into measurable nutritional benefits, including more items purchased with slightly less trans fat and sugar and more fiber and omega‐3 fatty acids.This study is one of the first to report the positive impact of an on‐shelf nutrition labelling system on supermarket sales and revenues—key information that was specifically requested by the US National Academies, as such labelling interventions may be more sustainable if they lead to higher revenues.