Search

We investigated the relationship between nutrition literacy, diet quality, carotenoid status, and cognition. Adults aged 37.5 ± 17.0 years (n = 52) completed the 42-item Nutrition Literacy Assessment Instrument (NLit). The Dietary History Questionnaire III was analyzed to determine the Healthy Eating Index. Skin carotenoids were assessed as a diet quality biomarker. Selective attention, relational memory, and pattern separation abilities were assessed using the flanker, spatial reconstruction, and mnemonic similarity tasks, respectively. Statistical adjustments included age, sex, education, and body mass index. No correlations were observed for NLit scores and NLit subscales with Healthy Eating Index and skin carotenoid status. However, the NLit's food label and numeracy subscale was related to greater pattern separation abilities (ρ = 0.33 , r 2 = 0.11, P = 0.03). Comprehension of food labels and numeracy information was associated with memory abilities. Future work is needed to test whether targeting working memory and attentional processes during memory retrieval in larger samples may facilitate the acquisition of nutrition knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• HSR labels guide healthy choices, but excessive nutritional details can have a negative effect. • Despite the existence of global standards, most FOP labels are regulated and implemented locally. • Incorporating various cultural nuances in the nutritional label design and composition can enhance the globalization of the label. • Customers trust government policies for the successful and effective implementation of HSR. • More research is needed to understand the role of HSR labels on consumers' cross-category comparisons. • Cultural nuances in label design enhance global acceptance and effectiveness. Food labeling systems are paramount in consumer food choices, leading to different consumption patterns. Although earlier research focused on food labeling systems in general and Health Star Rating (HSR) in particular, research still lacks a comprehensive understanding of HSR literature with reference to consumer choices. Therefore, this study aims to understand the extant literature on HSR and how it helps consumers make healthy food choices. Following a systematic literature review methodology, we appraised 102 peer-reviewed articles, identifying five thematic areas around HSR and consumer healthy food choices, including 'regulations, implementations, and evaluations of HSR,' 'consumer food choices,' 'nutrient profiling focus', 'stakeholder perspective of HSR,' and 'marketing strategies for HSR'. Accordingly, this review proposes a future research agenda and offers practical guidelines to facilitate consumer healthy food choices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many food safety issues have arisen in Taiwan during the past decade. Therefore, in 2016, the Taiwan government proposed the “five rings of food safety” policy to comprehensively protect consumer food supply. Among these policies, the “4- labels-1-Q” approach was adopted to ensure the selection of foods with traceable labels for retrospective study. Hence, this study investigated the association between the degree of familiarity with the 4-labels-1-Q food traceability system and risk perceptions and also investigated whether a consumer’s purchase intention toward fresh foods with food labels changed after viewing an educational film on food labels. This study defined subjects as the main food purchasers for their families; 290 valid questionnaire interviews were administered and educational films shown in Tainan markets and stores. Results showed that knowledge about labels significantly affected risk perception for labeling. Age, educational level, and degree of risk perception influenced purchase intention. Results also showed that after viewing the video, subjects’ label knowledge and purchase intention increased significantly. However, after adjustment for age, educational level, income, and purchase places, the effect of film education on risk perception was insignificant, especially for those who had lower educational levels, including those older than 65 years. Public trust can be boosted through label education among age groups using different channels and methods, and encouraging the sale of labeled foods in traditional markets would be a useful strategy. Age, educational level, income, and risk perception of participants significantly affected purchase intention. This study can be a reference for designing risk communication strategies and promoting traceable agricultural products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Simply introducing environmental labels to nutrition labels may not have the desired effect. • Labels potentially result in biased consumers perceptions of the healthiness and environmental friendliness of certain foods. • Information that should be irrelevant for the evaluation of healthiness/ environmental friendliness influenced how healthy/ environmentally friendly a food was perceived. To communicate sustainability or nutritional information about foods, labels are often used. Little is known whether these labels could result in biased perceptions when used simultaneously. Therefore, we conducted a 2 (Nutri-Score; no, yes) x 2 (Eco-Score; no, yes) experiment in which participants' perceived healthiness and environmental friendliness were measured. Four different foods were used that had Nutri-Score and Eco-Scores high/high, high/low, low/high, and low/low ratings. Data was collected from an online survey of 1,061 consumers in Germany. A between-subjects design to assess the interaction effects between the Nutri-Score and the Eco-Score on four food products was implemented. The results show that the Nutri-Score and Eco-Score influence each other's perceived healthiness and perceived environmental impact assessment of consumers. The labels may, therefore, potentially result in biased perceptions of the healthiness and environmental friendliness of certain foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manufacturers and consumers are increasingly aware that asymmetric information can lead to potential risks in food safety and supply chain integrity. The traditional paper labels, due to their limited size, are no longer able to realize the transmission of a large amount of information. Quick Response (QR) code, as one of the most versatile and commercially successful digital technologies, provides a feasible approach to connecting physical food with its relevant digital information, and its potential in information transmission has been gradually discovered and exploited in recent years – attracting increasing attention. In this review, a brief overview of the QR code configuration and technical principle of information transmission is provided, along with comparisons to other digital technologies. Moreover, it provides a useful overview of the current applications of QR codes developed and practiced in information transmission. On this basis, the limitations and development direction for improving its properties are discussed. Food packaging QR codes are suitable for information transmission due to their large data storage and quick information access. QR codes have good performance in traceability, quality evaluation, anti-counterfeiting, and marketing. Given its limitations, the flexible combination with other complementary technologies, improving the consumers' sense of gratification after use, and forcing and encouraging companies to implement are the possible development directions of maximizing QR code utilization in the future within the food supply chain. Icons used from biorender.com and flaticon.com. [Display omitted] • QR code configuration and technical principles are elaborated. • Applications of QR codes in traceability, quality evaluation, anti-counterfeiting, and marketing are reviewed. • Limitations of food packaging QR code applications are discussed. • Promising approaches for enhanced QR code technology usage are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective This study evaluated customer attitudes, perceptions, and utilisation of a traffic-light food labelling (TFL) programme before and after the TFL was implemented in a worksite canteen in Taiwan. Study design A one-arm intervention was implemented in the canteen and buffet of a research park in Taiwan. Phase 1 consisted of dissemination of information regarding the TFL, targeting the customers (June–July, 2014); phase 2 consisted of implementation of the TFL in the buffet starting in August 2014. The TFL included red, yellow and green labels, indicating ‘unhealthy/stop’, ‘moderately unhealthy/wait’ and ‘healthy/go’, respectively. Methods The evaluation was based on two independent anonymous surveys in July 2014 (in phase 1) and April 2015 (in phase 2). Customers were invited to take a survey regarding the TFL programme, the food environment in the canteen, and their lunch choices. Logistic regression models examined the changes in customers' attention and attitudes towards the labelling and their food choices between the two surveys. Results The customers reported positive attitudes towards the TFL. The proportion of customers who reported choosing foods based on the recommendations increased from 38% to 50% (P < 0.01). The proportion of the buffet customers who chose green-light entrées and red-light entrées changed from 13% and 63% to 36% and 21%, respectively (P < 0.001). The availability of green-light entrées in the buffet increased as well. Conclusions This first report of a TFL intervention in an Asian worksite suggests that TFL is acceptable and well understood by this population and may assist customers in choosing healthier items when healthier choices are available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study explored the relationship between health orientation (i.e. individual motivation to engage in healthy attitudes, beliefs and behaviours) and consumers' use of nutritional information on food labels. Specifically, this study analysed the relationship between a number of direct investments in health (namely those behaviours that can contribute directly to maintain a good health status) and use of nutritional information on food labels. Study design: Data for the analysis were collected through face-to-face interviews with a sample of 540 Italian consumers in charge of their grocery shopping. Forty grocery stores, including supermarkets and hypermarkets, were selected using a systematic sampling technique. Methods: Data were analysed using three equations and accounting for endogeneity issues. Results: This study found that those consumer groups with low health orientation (specifically smokers, those who do not exercise regularly, and those with an unhealthy body weight) show little interest in nutritional labels. Conclusion: Nutritional labels as a tool to promote healthier food choices have a limited effect on those consumers in greatest need of pursuing healthier lifestyle habits. Alternative policy intervention should be undertaken to reach these consumer groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Regular nutrition label use may have important long-term health implications. To our knowledge, the role of nutrition label use in protecting against the development of chronic diseases was unexplored prospectively before this study. Objective: We tested the association between nutrition label use and risk of a future diabetes diagnosis in a multiethnic US cohort. Design: Data from the ongoing National Longitudinal Survey of Youth-1979 (NLSY79) were analyzed. From 2002 (baseline) to 5 follow-up time points (2004-2012), 7150 diabetes-free, multiethnic young adults were prospectively followed for a diagnosis of incident diabetes. Nutrition label use, diabetes diagnosis, time to diabetes diagnosis, and all covariates were self-reported. Results: Between January 2002 and September 2013, 430 participants (6.0%) were diagnosed with diabetes. A weighted, multivariable, extended Cox regression was conducted, which suggested that in nutrition label users, the HR of diabetes diagnosis risk decreased significantly with time (P-nutrition label use × time interaction < 0.05) compared with risk in nutrition label nonusers. Conclusions: There is an association between nutrition label use and diabetes risk in the longer term. However, additional longitudinal research with a robust dietary intake assessment is needed to test this hypothesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) fortification policy discourages the fortification of certain foods, including sugars and snack foods such as cookies, candies, cakes, chips, and carbonated beverages, yet manufacturers sometimes add vitamins and minerals to snack foods. Objective: To assess whether vitamin-fortified snack foods affect consumers' information-seeking, purchase decisions, and product-related health perceptions. Design: For this experimental study, participants were randomly assigned to study conditions to compare products that varied in product type, nutrition profile, and fortification and nutrient claim status. Data were collected via an online consumer panel. Participants/setting: US adults aged 18 years and older were randomly selected from Research Now's e-panel online household panel. Data were collected during fall 2014 (N=5,076). Intervention: Participants were randomly assigned to one of 24 conditions: two products (vegetable chip/potato chip), two nutrition profiles (healthier/less healthy), two fortification scenarios (not fortified/fortified), and three nutrient claim conditions (two no claim/one with claim). The design was not balanced; claims were not shown on products that were not vitamin fortified. Main outcome measures: Outcome measures were information-seeking (viewed the Nutrition Facts label), purchase decisions, perception of product healthfulness, and correct selection of product with the healthier nutrient profile. Statistical analysis performed: Logistic regression was used to test all models. Analyses was adjusted for general label use, consumes product, health status, age, sex, level of education, presence of children in the household, and race/ethnicity. Results: When the snack food carried a nutrient claim for vitamin fortification, participants were 1) less likely to look for nutrition information on the Nutrition Facts label, 2) more likely to select the product for purchase, 3) more likely to perceive the product as healthier, and 4) less likely to correctly choose the healthier product. Conclusions: Snack foods that have been vitamin-fortified may cause consumers to make poor dietary decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The majority of US consumers use the nutrition facts panel (NFP) or health claims for food selections. Although previous studies have consistently reported positive impacts of NFP use on dietary intake, evidence regarding the effect of the use of health claims, either alone or in combination with the NFP, on diet quality and health outcomes is scarce. Objectives: Our primary objective was to test for associations of the use of food labels (the NFP or health claims) with overall diet quality in individuals with prediabetes. In addition, we examined the association between food label use and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) concentrations. Design: We conducted a weighted linear regression, which was appropriate for a complex sampling survey, with the use of cross-sectional data from 2654 US adults with undiagnosed prediabetes who participated in the 2005-2010 NHANES cycles. The following 4 categories of food label (NFP or health claims) use were identified: 1) both labels, 2) health claims only, 3) neither label, and 4) the NFP only. Healthy Eating Index-2010 score, which we used to assess diet quality, was calculated from two 24-h recalls. Blood samples for analyzing HbA1c concentrations (glycemic control) were collected in the mobile examination center. Results: The overall diet quality scores for the use of both labels [b: -2.76 (95% CI: -5.04, -0.48); P = 0.019], of health claims only [b: -3.46 (-6.64, -0.28); P = 0.033], and of neither label [b: -4.01 (-5.75, -2.28); P < 0.001] were lower than those of NFP-only users. Moreover, HbA1c concentrations of users of both labels [b: 0.09% (95% CI: 0.03%, 0.16%); P = 0.008] and health claims only [b: 0.13% (95% CI: 0.02%, 0.25%); P = 0.021] were higher than those of NFP-only users. Conclusions: In participants with undiagnosed prediabetes, the use of health claims alone, of both labels, or of neither label (compared with the use of the NFP only) was associated with poorer diet quality. In addition, users of neither label and users of both labels had poorer glycemic control. Further studies are needed to understand why the use of health claims may not be health promoting in this high-risk population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The environmental impact of the production and consumption of food is seldom depicted to consumers. The footprint of food products provides a means for consumers to compare environmental impacts across and within product groups. In this study we apply carbon, nitrogen, and water footprints in tandem and present food labels that could help inform consumers about the environmental impacts of individual food products. The footprint factors used in this study are specific to the United States, but the concept can be applied elsewhere. We propose three methods of footprint calculations: footprint weight, sustainability measures, and % daily value. We apply the three footprint calculation methods to four example labels (stars label, stoplight label, nutrition label add-on, and a detailed comparison label) that vary in design and the amount of detail provided. The stars label is simple and easily understood but provides minimal detail about the footprints. At the other end of the spectrum, the detailed comparison label gives context in relative terms (e.g., carbon emissions for equivalent distance driven) for the food product. Implementing environmental impact food labels requires additional understanding of how consumers use footprint labels, and label suitability may vary for government organizations, retail and local grocers, and farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews the evolution of Thai food and nutrition label policies and Thailand’s international role relating to food product safety and standards. The historical record has been interpreted to identify future trends and challenges related to food labelling. These challenges are arising in Thailand and many similar emerging economies. Thailand has a good reputation in world food markets and is now becoming a global leader in food production and export. It has become deeply involved with regulations and standards applied by World Trade Organization and Codex Alimentarius while serving its own population with a safe and secure food supply. For consumers considering Thai food products, food labels can provide useful nutrition information and help build trust. Thais began a century ago with policies and laws to enhance food safety and to protect Thai consumers. During the lengthy journey from national to global standards Thai food labels have evolved and now contribute to international food labelling policies. This contribution comes from the perspective of a leading middle income south-east Asian food producer now trading with high income countries around the world. The story of that journey – a case study for many other countries in a similar situation – has not previously been told. This article provides information for policy makers dealing with food labelling, embedding trends and tensions for one middle income food exporter in a long history. Information captured here should be helpful for other middle income countries, especially those with limited records. This strategic knowledge will enable better decisions for future policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) studies product labels from the United States (U.S.) food supply through the Food Label and Package Survey (FLAPS) to monitor industry responses to FDA regulations and policies on foods. The 2006-2007 FLAPS data were analyzed to obtain prevalence, food sources, and claim types of structure function (SF) claims. The SF claims describe the role of a nutrient or food component intended to maintain the normal structure or function of body (e.g., calcium builds strong bones). FDA selected regulated food products from the ACNielsen Strategic Planner sales database of the U.S. retail stores using a stratified, two-stage design with selection probabilities proportional to nationally estimated sales dollars. Products were purchased from retail stores across the U.S. and the detailed product label information was recorded. FDA calculated product sampling weights based on sales data so that the FLAPS estimate will be generalizable to the foods sold in all U.S. retail stores The FLAPS database contains label information for 1,227 foods in 57 product groups. The weighted prevalence of the FLAPS foods with at least one SF claim was 5.5%, of which approximately 1/3 had two or more SF claims. There were about 30 different types of SF claims and commonly found SF claims include claims about healthy bones and teeth, baby's brain and eye development, healthy weight, immune system, and healthy cholesterol level. The SF claims were found commonly in the following product groups: infant formulas, cheeses, yogurts, cold cereals, refrigerated and shelf-stable juices and drinks. These results demonstrate the usefulness of the FLAPS data as an FDA's monitoring tool to assess compliance with food label-related laws and regulations and to plan for future policy making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adolescent obesity is more prevalent in the United Kingdom (UK) than in almost any other higher income nation. Providing nutritional information in the form of a food label is one strategy that has the potential to reduce obesity because it offers informed choices. School food can theoretically provide a third of an adolescent's daily calorie intake, yet food served in schools in England has no labelling to guide pupils to the healthiest food choices on offer. This is a pragmatic study, which designed and applied an experimental food label in the form of a nutritional 'food score' to the food on offer to pupils aged 11–18 years in a school in Greater London. Quantitative survey data was collected at three time points for a total of nine weeks to explore if the food label influenced adolescents to select healthier food options in real time data. In addition, data from a food choice questionnaire identified which factors adolescents ranked as having the greatest influence on their food choice behaviour. The results indicated that with the application of the experimental food label there was no significant change in actual food selected. The factors that adolescents ranked the highest in terms of influencing their food choices were taste, hunger, price, health, appearance, smell, and food that keeps them awake. The factor that adolescents unanimously ranked as not affecting their food choices was the influence of friends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Diet is a leading modifiable cause of poor health globally. • A new food product labeling system, named Mediterranean Index (Med Index), has been developed. • The Med Index promotes adherence to the Mediterranean diet (healthy and sustainable nutritional pattern) by stimulating citizens to practice physical activity. • The Med Index, based on 27 criteria that cover the three pillars of sustainability, nutritional, environmental and social ones. By 2024, the European Commission will examine a new sustainable labeling framework. Here we describe the development of a new food product labeling system, named Mediterranean Index (Med Index), aimed at promoting adherence to the Mediterranean diet (healthy and sustainable nutritional pattern) by stimulating citizens to practice physical activity consistent with the energy intake of meals and encouraging producers to make healthier and more sustainable food products. It is characterized by the possibility of integrating 27 criteria addressing the issue of sustainable food production processes in the frame of three pillars: nutritional, environmental, and social sustainability. It is conceived as a holistic front-of-pack (FOP) label, complete and applicable by food producers as it is based on measurable criteria, widely shared by stakeholders, but usually adopted on an individual basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food labels are often an important source of information available to guide consumers' in-store purchases. This study aimed to determine consumers' opinions about and use of food labels and the association between these constructs with structural equation modeling in an urban-rural hybrid area context. Results from the survey (n=912) showed that respondents mainly had positive opinions about food labels as an information source and appreciated the importance of product and origin information. Most respondents indicated pre-purchase use of labels. The structural equation model confirmed an association between respondents' food label opinions and use and suggests that these opinions could be used to anticipate label use. It is thus important to offer label information that would evoke favorable opinions and that might directly contribute to consumers' decisions to purchase the product in-store. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Examining factors influencing food label use among Singapore's supermarket shoppers using the Theory of Planned Behavior. Design: A point-of-purchase survey among general shoppers in 2 supermarkets. Setting: Singapore, a country whose population is exposed to a wide range of food labeling formats because of the import-dependent nature of the food industry. Participants: A total of 200 shoppers (Chinese [75.5%], Malays [8.5%], and Indians [7.0%]) participated in the survey. Main Outcome Measures: Independent variables composed of attitudes and subjective norms (both 5-point Likert); perceived behavioral control and diet-health concern (both 5-point semantic differential); and knowledge (18-item index). Dependent variables were intention to use food labels (5-point differential scale) and actual use of food labels (19-item index). Analysis: Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, mean analysis, and multivariate linear regression. Results: Low levels of knowledge and health literacy were found. Attitudes, subjective norms, and behavioral control differed significantly by age and ethnicity. Subjective norms and diet-health concern were significant predictors of intention to use food labels. Conclusions and Implications: Lack of knowledge but positive attitudes toward food labels make Singapore's consumers vulnerable to misusing or being misled by food label information. Demographic differences demonstrate the need to develop targeted educational interventions and enhance awareness of and ability to use food labels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To determine patterns of food and nutrition labels use by Turkish consumers, and examine constraints on the use of this information. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Setting: Twenty-six regions of Turkey. Participants: Consumers (n = 1,536), aged 12-56 years. Variables measured: Level of interest in food and nutrition labels, the perceived sources of information about nutrition, the performance of the food industry at labeling, and sociodemographic factors. Analysis: Descriptive statistics and χ² statistics. Results: The uses of food labels and nutrition labels were reported, respectively, by 76.5% and 72.4% of participants. Nutrition label use was significantly associated with sex, age, marital status, educational level, and socioeconomic status (P < .001 for all variables). Barriers to the use of nutrition labels included: the lack of understanding of terms, symbols, and values; poor presentation of the information; and concerns about the accuracy of the information. Consumers who wished to use nutrition labels to make healthful choices demanded a standardized location and format for the labels, as well as simplified information conveyed with comprehensible terms and statements. Conclusions and Implications: New strategies to encourage the effective consumer use of food and nutrition labels should include educational programs and revision of the label format. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the reliability and validity of a 10-item questionnaire, the Food Label Literacy for Applied Nutrition Knowledge questionnaire. Methods: Participants were elementary school children exposed to a 90-minute school-based nutrition program. Reliability was assessed via Cronbach a and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Validity was assessed comparing the questionnaire's food choices using an objective metric of nutrition quality, the Overall Nutritional Quality Index (ONQI), via t test. Statistical significance was set at .05. Results: Four hundred ninety-nine children participated, 51% were female, and the average age was 8.6 (± 0.9) years. Cronbach α = .77 and ICC = 0.68 (between administrations) were observed. ONQI scores of correct responses were significantly higher when compared to the ONQI scores of incorrect responses (27.4 ± 9.4 vs 16.2 ± 9.4; P = .01). Conclusions and Implications: The Food Label Literacy for Applied Nutrition Knowledge questionnaire was found to be both reliable and a valid measure of food label literacy in children taught the Nutrition Detectives program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To examine the correlates of trans fat knowledge and trans fat label use; to examine the influence of trans fat knowledge, trans fat label use, and dietary attitudes on intake of high trans fat food. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Setting: An urban commuter college. Subjects: Two hundred twenty-two college students. Variables measured: Trans fat knowledge, food label use, high trans fat food consumption, dietary attitudes, and socio-demographic factors. Analysis: Chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression analysis assessed relationships between trans fat knowledge, trans fat label use, and consumption of high trans fat food. Results: Thirty-seven percent of participants reported never using trans fat information on food labels. Males and minority ethnic groups were less likely to report always using trans fat label information and displayed lower trans fat knowledge compared to females and non-Hispanic whites, respectively. Trans fat knowledge and importance of eating a low-fat diet were positively associated with both food label use and use of trans fat information on food labels. Nonuse of food labels and trans fat information on food labels were associated with higher consumption of fried food. Conclusions and Implications: Trans fat education and promotion of food label use is needed in college students, especially in high-risk groups such as males and ethnic minorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Fair trade labeling (versus a no label control) increases grams consumed. • Fair trade food labeling results in a health halo by increasing a product's perceived healthfulness. • Perceived healthfulness mediates the effect of fair trade labeling on consumption. The purpose of fair trade certification is to assure consumers that products support responsible companies, empower farmers, workers, and fisherman, and protect the environment. Yet, could it be possible that consumers infer greater healthfulness of foods containing such labels, and subsequently increase their consumption of fair trade certified foods? Across three studies, we demonstrate that fair trade labels can increase consumption by 26% to 31%. In study 1, we demonstrate that individuals consume more if the food product contains a fair trade label. In the subsequent studies we home in on the underlying process, demonstrating that the effect is mediated by the product's perceived healthfulness (study 2 and 3) To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study that (1) tests the effects of fair trade labels from third-party certifiers in package-based experiments, (2) examines the effects of fair trade labels on consumption, and (3) directly tests an overall health halo—perceived healthfulness—as the underlying process. In doing so, this research contributes to the values-based labeling and health halo literatures, while offering implications for public policy makers, consumers, and food marketers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food labelling is a tool to inform consumers about the specifications and characteristics of a product. Additionally, labels display information about traditionality and naturalness, of which the meaning is highly subjective. There is a paucity of research examining attributes both of tradition and naturalness. In this study, traditionality was assessed by a model that included temporal, geographical, know-how, and cultural components. Naturalness was evaluated based on bio/organic elements, 'free-from' claims, and natural ingredients. Therefore, a content analysis tool was developed to analyze and score labels of fermented meat products, which generated insights in the key label characteristics of tradition and naturalness. The degree of tradition and naturalness was the average of their subdimensions which were scored based on the displayed elements. A higher degree of tradition and naturalness was linked to higher prices. Fermented meat labels were found to be strongly embedded in 'authenticity', and less in naturalness, an element more attractive for private labels than for branded products. • The content analysis tool proposed measures traditionality with its four sub-dimensions, namely time, geography, know-how, and storytelling, and naturalness is comprised by bio/organic elements, 'free-from' claims, and natural ingredients. • This tool was used to investigate the degree of tradition and naturalness of a label, and the link between price, tradition, naturalness, meat content, and brand/private label. • Traditionality was identified as a widespread feature of fermented meats in Belgian retail, as it was played out on nearly 80% of the product labels. 'Geographical location' constituted its most commonly used element. • A higher degree of tradition and naturalness was linked to increased product prices, and branded fermented meat products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]