Consumer Knowledge, Perceptions, Attitudes and Practices on the Use of Nutrition Labeling including Traffic Light Labeling (TLL) System in Sri Lanka

OBJECTIVES: To apprehend the level of knowledge, understanding and comprehension of the use of various nutrition labeling by Sri Lankan consumers and to assess the consumer perceptions, attitudes and practices regarding the use of the front-of-pack (FOP) traffic light labeling (TLL) system. METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey was employed to collect data from a sample of adults aged 18 years and above (n = 310; mean age = 28.55 ± 11.47) recruited using convenient and snowball sampling techniques. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics followed by chi-square and regression analyses. RESULTS: The majority of respondents had satisfactory nutrition knowledge (63%) and satisfactory understanding and comprehension (67%) of the use of nutrition labels including TLL. Only 32% of participants were accustomed to using TLL while making food purchases. To know what was bought and consumed (90%) and respective product prices (79%) were the major prospects for reading labels. However, time constraints (70%) and the lack of nutrition panel details on some products (69%) cause them to fall behind. Results showed nutrition knowledge was significantly associated with self-rated dietary intake (P < 0.05), and label reading frequency was significantly associated with nutrition knowledge (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, both consumer knowledge regarding TLL (P < 0.05) and the use of TLL (P < 0.05) were significantly associated with consumers’ nutrition knowledge. Age was significantly associated with the use of TLL (P < 0.05). TLL was viewed favorably by consumers and seen as simple, easy-to-understand, eye-catching and helpful in making informed dietary choices. However, certain consumers doubted its trustworthiness. CONCLUSIONS: Though the studied population had satisfactory nutrition knowledge and understanding, nutrition information on labels was not as important as price and expiry date. Likewise, most were unconvinced about the reliability of the nutrition information on food labels even though the nutrition labels influence the majority's purchasing decisions. Although the consumers saw benefits in TLL, the use of TLL was also low. Efforts to educate the public on the application of nutrition labeling in the food choice situation may prompt its use among consumers. FUNDING SOURCES: None.