South African consumers' perceptions of front-of-package warning labels on unhealthy foods and drinks.

Front-of-package labeling (FOPL) is a policy tool that helps consumers to make informed food choices. South Africa has not yet implemented this labeling system. The aim of this study was therefore to explore adult South African consumers' perceptions of front-of-package warning labels on foods...

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Autores principales: Makoma Bopape, Lindsey Smith Taillie, Tamryn Frank, Nandita Murukutla, Trish Cotter, Luyanda Majija, Rina Swart
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Publicado: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2021
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Acceso en línea:https://doaj.org/article/ddf49b68894e45948d1351cf01fef9c4
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spelling oai:doaj.org-article:ddf49b68894e45948d1351cf01fef9c42021-12-02T20:14:07ZSouth African consumers' perceptions of front-of-package warning labels on unhealthy foods and drinks.1932-620310.1371/journal.pone.0257626https://doaj.org/article/ddf49b68894e45948d1351cf01fef9c42021-01-01T00:00:00Zhttps://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0257626https://doaj.org/toc/1932-6203Front-of-package labeling (FOPL) is a policy tool that helps consumers to make informed food choices. South Africa has not yet implemented this labeling system. The aim of this study was therefore to explore adult South African consumers' perceptions of front-of-package warning labels on foods and non-alcoholic beverages (referred to as drinks in this paper) and their insights into features that could influence the effectiveness of the warning label. Using a qualitative approach, the study purposively selected consumers diversified by urbanization, gender, socioeconomic status, and literacy. We collected data from a total of 113 participants through 12 focus group discussions. Data were systematically coded and divided into five themes namely, positive attitudes toward warning labels, perceived benefits of warning labels, perceived behavior modification, perceived beneficiaries of warning labels, and effective attributes of warning labels. Almost all participants from all socio-economic backgrounds were positive about warning labels, reporting that warning labels concisely and understandably educated them about the nutritional composition of foods. Other perceived advantages were that warning labels warn of health implications, are easily understandable and could benefit child health. Some participants anticipated that warning labels would reduce their purchases of unhealthy foods, while others thought the labels would have no effect on their purchasing habits. Participants found the warning labels attention grabbing and stated that they preferred a black triangle placed on a white background (referred to as a holding strap henceforth), the words "high in" and "warning" in bold and uppercase text, an exclamation mark, and an icon depicting the excessive nutrient. In South Africa warning labels may improve consumer understanding of nutrition information and assist consumers in determining the nutritional quality of packaged foods and drinks.Makoma BopapeLindsey Smith TaillieTamryn FrankNandita MurukutlaTrish CotterLuyanda MajijaRina SwartPublic Library of Science (PLoS)articleMedicineRScienceQENPLoS ONE, Vol 16, Iss 9, p e0257626 (2021)
institution DOAJ
collection DOAJ
language EN
topic Medicine
R
Science
Q
spellingShingle Medicine
R
Science
Q
Makoma Bopape
Lindsey Smith Taillie
Tamryn Frank
Nandita Murukutla
Trish Cotter
Luyanda Majija
Rina Swart
South African consumers' perceptions of front-of-package warning labels on unhealthy foods and drinks.
description Front-of-package labeling (FOPL) is a policy tool that helps consumers to make informed food choices. South Africa has not yet implemented this labeling system. The aim of this study was therefore to explore adult South African consumers' perceptions of front-of-package warning labels on foods and non-alcoholic beverages (referred to as drinks in this paper) and their insights into features that could influence the effectiveness of the warning label. Using a qualitative approach, the study purposively selected consumers diversified by urbanization, gender, socioeconomic status, and literacy. We collected data from a total of 113 participants through 12 focus group discussions. Data were systematically coded and divided into five themes namely, positive attitudes toward warning labels, perceived benefits of warning labels, perceived behavior modification, perceived beneficiaries of warning labels, and effective attributes of warning labels. Almost all participants from all socio-economic backgrounds were positive about warning labels, reporting that warning labels concisely and understandably educated them about the nutritional composition of foods. Other perceived advantages were that warning labels warn of health implications, are easily understandable and could benefit child health. Some participants anticipated that warning labels would reduce their purchases of unhealthy foods, while others thought the labels would have no effect on their purchasing habits. Participants found the warning labels attention grabbing and stated that they preferred a black triangle placed on a white background (referred to as a holding strap henceforth), the words "high in" and "warning" in bold and uppercase text, an exclamation mark, and an icon depicting the excessive nutrient. In South Africa warning labels may improve consumer understanding of nutrition information and assist consumers in determining the nutritional quality of packaged foods and drinks.
format article
author Makoma Bopape
Lindsey Smith Taillie
Tamryn Frank
Nandita Murukutla
Trish Cotter
Luyanda Majija
Rina Swart
author_facet Makoma Bopape
Lindsey Smith Taillie
Tamryn Frank
Nandita Murukutla
Trish Cotter
Luyanda Majija
Rina Swart
author_sort Makoma Bopape
title South African consumers' perceptions of front-of-package warning labels on unhealthy foods and drinks.
title_short South African consumers' perceptions of front-of-package warning labels on unhealthy foods and drinks.
title_full South African consumers' perceptions of front-of-package warning labels on unhealthy foods and drinks.
title_fullStr South African consumers' perceptions of front-of-package warning labels on unhealthy foods and drinks.
title_full_unstemmed South African consumers' perceptions of front-of-package warning labels on unhealthy foods and drinks.
title_sort south african consumers' perceptions of front-of-package warning labels on unhealthy foods and drinks.
publisher Public Library of Science (PLoS)
publishDate 2021
url https://doaj.org/article/ddf49b68894e45948d1351cf01fef9c4
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