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An Experimental Study Evaluating the Influence of Front-of-Package Warning Labels on Adolescent’s Purchase Intention of Processed Food Products

Author

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  • Lorena Saavedra-Garcia

    (CRONICAS Center of Excellence in Chronic Diseases, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Av. Armendariz 445, Miraflores, Lima 15074, Peru)

  • Miguel Moscoso-Porras

    (CRONICAS Center of Excellence in Chronic Diseases, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Av. Armendariz 445, Miraflores, Lima 15074, Peru)

  • Francisco Diez-Canseco

    (CRONICAS Center of Excellence in Chronic Diseases, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Av. Armendariz 445, Miraflores, Lima 15074, Peru)

Abstract

Front-of-package warning labels (WLs) are among the public health policies adopted by some countries, mainly in Latin-America, to tackle childhood obesity; however, their impact is still under review. The aim of this study was to assess, using an experimental design, whether WLs influence purchase intention of processed foods and identification of the healthiest products among adolescents in Peru, in May 2019, just before WLs mandatory implementation. Four hundred forty-nine adolescents from two public schools were randomly assigned to an experimental group (received three different processed products with either zero, one or two WLs, informing if they were high in sugar, sodium and/or saturated fats) or a control group (received the same products but unlabeled). Participants chose which product they would buy, and which they considered to be the healthiest. No differences between groups were found neither in purchase intention ( p = 0.386) nor in the identification of the healthiest product ( p = 0.322). In both groups, the most-selected product was always the healthiest of the triad (>40% in purchase intention and >80% in identification of the healthiest). Front-of-package WLs did not influence purchase intention, or identification of healthier products among adolescents from public schools in Peru. Mass media and educational campaigns should accompany the WLs implementation to help achieve the policy objective.

Suggested Citation

  • Lorena Saavedra-Garcia & Miguel Moscoso-Porras & Francisco Diez-Canseco, 2022. "An Experimental Study Evaluating the Influence of Front-of-Package Warning Labels on Adolescent’s Purchase Intention of Processed Food Products," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-11, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:3:p:1094-:d:728472
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lindsey Smith Taillie & Marcela Reyes & M Arantxa Colchero & Barry Popkin & Camila Corvalán, 2020. "An evaluation of Chile’s Law of Food Labeling and Advertising on sugar-sweetened beverage purchases from 2015 to 2017: A before-and-after study," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 17(2), pages 1-22, February.
    2. Ellen J Van Loo & Carola Grebitus & Rodolfo M Nayga & Wim Verbeke & Jutta Roosen, 2018. "On the Measurement of Consumer Preferences and Food Choice Behavior: The Relation Between Visual Attention and Choices," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 40(4), pages 538-562, December.
    3. Sophie Hieke & Charles R. Taylor, 2012. "A Critical Review of the Literature on Nutritional Labeling," Journal of Consumer Affairs, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 46(1), pages 120-156, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Cabrera, Tania & Sarasty, Oscar & Watson, Susan E. & Gonzalez, Maria-Susana & Carpio, Carlos E., 2022. "Traffic-light nutrition labeling use and demand among Ecuadorean children," 2022 Annual Meeting, July 31-August 2, Anaheim, California 322586, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    2. Tania Cabrera & Carlos E. Carpio & Oscar Sarasty & Susan E. Watson & María-Susana Gonzalez, 2023. "Traffic light nutrition labeling preferences among children," Agricultural and Food Economics, Springer;Italian Society of Agricultural Economics (SIDEA), vol. 11(1), pages 1-24, December.

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