Adherence

Interpretive nutrient-specific labels (e.g., Traffic Light) improve health perceptions for both 'virtue' (healthy) and 'vice' (unhealthy) products, but only increase purchase intention for virtue products.

When using nutrient-specific labels like Traffic Lights, be aware that they may make you perceive unhealthy ('vice') products as healthier than they are, without necessarily making you buy them. However, they do successfully encourage the purchase of healthy ('virtue') products. Use these labels to reinforce good choices, but do not assume a 'green' label on a junk food item makes it a healthy choice.