Adherence
Simplified front-of-pack nutrition labels (signposting) increase consumer interest and perceived ease of use, but do not guarantee real-world dietary behavior change due to cognitive load, skepticism, and resistance to perceived coercion.
For food manufacturers and policymakers: Simplified front-of-pack labels (like traffic lights or color-coded GDAs) are preferred by consumers for their ease of use. However, to avoid resistance, these labels must be transparent and non-coercive. Complex back-of-pack tables are often ignored; simplification is key, but it must balance simplicity with enough detail to satisfy consumers' desire for full information.
Consumers like the idea of simplified front of pack information but differ in their liking for the various formats. Differences can be related to conflicting preferences for ease of use, being fully informed and not being pressurised into behaving in a particular way.
Why this rating
Based on a systematic review of 58 studies, though many are stake-initiated with lower methodological rigor.
Source
A review of European research on consumer response to nutrition information on food labels
Klaus G. Grunert et al. · Journal of Public Health · 2007
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