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Consumer Awareness, Knowledge, Understanding, and Use of Nutrition Labels in Africa: A Systematic Narrative Review

Author

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  • Prince Kwabena Osei
  • Christabel Ampong Domfe
  • Alex Kojo Anderson

Abstract

The purpose of nutrition information on a nutrition label is to communicate to consumers the nutritional content of prepackaged foods so that they would be able to identify healthy foods before purchase. Many systematic reviews in the area of consumer awareness, knowledge, understanding, and use of nutrition labels have focused on the United States, Canada, Asia, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, and little attention has been given to African countries. To review the state of consumer awareness, knowledge, understanding, and use of nutrition labels within the African region, identify barriers to the use of nutrition labels, identify consumers who are more likely to use labels, and assess the factors that affect purchasing decisions. Searches were done in electronic databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, Semantic Scholar, Web of Science) and the reference lists of relevant research articles (back referencing). The review was limited to cross-sectional peer-reviewed research articles which were published in the English Language between January 2000 and June 2022. Twenty-six peer-reviewed papers from 10 African countries that met our inclusion criteria are included in this systematic review. The overall crude means of levels of awareness, knowledge, understanding, and use of nutrition labels were found to be 74.2%, 56.4%, 45.3%, and 69.1%, respectively. Consumer levels of knowledge and understanding of nutrition labels across the 10 African countries were low compared to the awareness and use of nutrition labels.

Suggested Citation

  • Prince Kwabena Osei & Christabel Ampong Domfe & Alex Kojo Anderson, 2024. "Consumer Awareness, Knowledge, Understanding, and Use of Nutrition Labels in Africa: A Systematic Narrative Review," SAGE Open, , vol. 14(2), pages 21582440241, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:sagope:v:14:y:2024:i:2:p:21582440241241982
    DOI: 10.1177/21582440241241982
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Falola, Abraham, 2014. "Towards Nutrition Security: Food Label Use Among Nigerians," International Journal of Food and Agricultural Economics (IJFAEC), Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University, Department of Economics and Finance, vol. 2(2), pages 1-8, April.
    2. Priscilla Cecilia Affram & Sarah Darkwa, 2015. "Consumers' Knowledge, Understanding and Use of Food Label Information, and How it Affects Purchasing Decision in Ho, Ghana," Asian Journal of Empirical Research, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 5(3), pages 24-39.
    3. Evaristus Adesina & Boluwatife Ajayi & Emmanuel O. Amoo & Babatunde Adeyeye & Mofoluwake P. Ajayi & Tomike Olawande & Adebanke Olawole-Isaac & Mercy E. Udume, 2022. "Consumers’ Knowledge and Use of Nutritional Labelling Information in Lagos, Nigeria," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-16, January.
    4. Osei, Mensah J. & Lawer, D.R. & Aidoo, R., 2013. "Consumers’ Use and Understanding of Food Label Information and Effect on their Purchasing Decision in Ghana; a Case Study of Kumasi Metropolis," Asian Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development, Asian Economic and Social Society (AESS), vol. 2(03), pages 1-18, September.
    5. Priscilla Cecilia Affram & Sarah Darkwa, 2015. "Consumers` knowledge, understanding and use of food label information, and how it affects purchasing decision in ho, Ghana," Asian Journal of Empirical Research, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 5(3), pages 24-39, March.
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