Consumer understanding of nutrition labeling: the triangle alert model

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22239/2317-269X.01434

Keywords:

Food Labeling; Nutrition Labeling; Labeling Model; Consumer Understanding

Abstract

Introduction: Several researchers and government entities have currently pointed out the proposal for the triangle alert model in nutritional labeling, in order to allow consumers to better understand the label. This proposal describes that information such as excess of ingredients or nutrients that are harmful to health be highlighted on the labels by colors and symbols (triangle) that draw the consumer’s attention. Objective: To analyze consumers’ understanding of the nutritional triangle alert labeling model in comparison with the label currently used in Brazil. Method: Cross-sectional study carried out with 108 adults, randomly approached for convenience, while participating in two health fairs that took place in a municipality in Minas Gerais in April and May of 2019. Participants were interviewed based on a questionnaire that, in addition to characterizing, sought to investigate their behavior regarding labeling and their understanding of the triangle nutritional labeling alert model. The interviewee was presented with two food labels (salted crackers and soy oil) elaborated from the triangle proposal. The results were analyzed by distribution frequency and associations between understanding the label and characteristics of the participants (Pearson’s chi-square test). Results: Among the participants, the majority were women, with higher education high school. The study showed that 81.00% understood that the frontal triangle warning indicated excess components in the food and 68.00% understood that the yellow highlight on the nutritional table indicated excess ingredient. When comparing the currently used label and the proposed triangle labeling, 88.00% of the respondents preferred the new proposal. Conclusions: There was a greater acceptance of the proposed nutritional labeling of warning in triangles in relation to the current label adopted in Brazil, specifcally due to the ease of reading and understanding of the label and the alert for the quantity and nutritional quality of the food.

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Author Biographies

  • Clarice Lima Alvares da Silva, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Governador Valadares, MG, Brasil

    Possui graduação em Nutrição pela Universidade Federal de Viçosa (2006), mestrado em Ciência da Nutrição pela Universidade Federal de Viçosa (2008) e doutorado em Ciências da Saúde/Saúde Coletiva pelo Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou (2013). Atualmente é professor adjunto no Departamento de Nutrição da Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, campus avançado de Governador Valadares. Coordenadora do Núcleo de Estudos da Pessoa Idosa (NEPI). Tem experiência na área de Nutrição, com ênfase em Análise Nutricional de População, atuando principalmente nos seguintes temas: estado nutricional, avaliação nutricional, envelhecimento, crianças e promoção da saúde.

  • Angélica Cotta Lobo Leite Carneiro, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Governador Valadares, MG, Brasil

    Graduada em Nutrição pela Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, mestre e doutora em Enfermagem pela Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Possui experiência na área de Nutrição, atuando principalmente nos seguintes temas: avaliação curricular, planejamento de cardápio, gestão de unidade de alimentação, higiene de alimentos e vigilância sanitária, educação alimentar e nutricional. Atualmente é professora e coordenadora do Curso de Nutrição da Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora / Campus Governador Valadares (UFJF/GV) e Coordenadora do FORME-PRO Núcleo de Formação, Educação e Inovação para as Profissões, da Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, campus Governador Valadares.

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Published

2021-11-30

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 4 (2021): November

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 1969 Health Surveillance under Debate: Society, Science & Technology (Vigilância Sanitária em Debate: Sociedade, Ciência & Tecnología) – “Visa em Debate”

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How to Cite

Consumer understanding of nutrition labeling: the triangle alert model. (2021). Health Surveillance under Debate: Society, Science & Technology , 9(4), 46-56. https://doi.org/10.22239/2317-269X.01434