Multi-High-In Warning Labels Lead in Reducing Unhealthy Food Purchases, Study Finds
A groundbreaking study published in the latest issue of Lancet Public Health has identified that separate warning labels indicating high levels of undesirable nutrients—such as saturated fat, sugars, and sodium—on packaged foods are the most effective method for reducing consumer selection of such products. This format, known as the "multi high-in labels scheme," significantly outperformed all other labeling systems in helping consumers make healthier choices.
Study Details and Key Findings
The research, conducted in the United States, involved an online randomized controlled trial with over 15,500 participants. These individuals were exposed to various front-of-package labeling (FOPL) formats, including a no-label control group. The tested formats included:
- Nutrition-Info-Red scheme: Uses low, medium, and high descriptors with high levels highlighted in red.
- Black and white single label: Lists any nutrients present in high amounts.
- Multi-high-in label scheme: Features separate labels for high saturated fat, sugars, and sodium.
- Nutrition info box scheme: Proposed in the US, it lists nutrients of concern alongside low, medium, or high descriptors and percent daily value.
The study found that all FOPL schemes substantially improved consumer understanding of nutrient content and reduced the selection of products high in concerning nutrients. However, qualitative warning labels, particularly the multi-high-in format, excelled in enhancing consumer comprehension and influencing purchasing intentions and behaviors.
Why Multi-High-In Labels Excel
According to the study, the multi-high-in label scheme performed exceptionally well across multiple outcomes. The number of labels provides a quick and intuitive sense of a product's healthfulness, making it easier for consumers to identify unhealthy options. This design yielded the highest recall of label contents, the highest reported use, and the lowest likelihood of selecting products high in nutrients of concern during shopping tasks.
Additionally, the multi-high-in label was least likely to increase the perceived healthfulness of unhealthy products compared to nutrition-info schemes. A previous study supported these findings, showing that a multi-label high-in design outperformed single-label formats in helping consumers identify products high in sodium and saturated fat.
Health Implications and Industry Debate
Packaged foods are the leading source of added sugars, sodium, and saturated fat in US diets, and overconsumption of these nutrients increases the risk of chronic diseases. The study emphasized that front-of-package labels hold promise for reducing consumption of these harmful elements, improving consumer understanding and dietary choices, with potential benefits for preventing chronic illnesses.
In India, food industry representatives have opposed warning label formats, advocating instead for a star rating system where packaged foods receive stars based on their ingredients. However, consumer groups have criticized this approach, arguing that awarding any stars could create false health halos for unhealthy products and mislead consumers.
The study recommends that the multi-high-in label format be considered for implementation to help consumers quickly identify and make healthier choices, potentially transforming public health outcomes globally.
