Consumers' Search and Use of Nutrition Information: The Challenge and Promise of the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act

2002/07/01 by Siva K. Balasubramanian, Catherine Cole · 339 citations
Business, Management and Accounting · Medicine · Psychology · #Advertising #Biology #Business #Calorie #Cognitive psychology #Consumer Attitudes and Food Labeling #Consumer Packaging Perceptions and Trends #Environmental health #Food science #Gerontology #Marketing #Medicine #Nutrition Education #Nutrition Labeling #Nutrition facts label #Nutrition information #Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet #Psychology #Recall

paper · doi:10.1509/jmkg.66.3.112.18502

published in Journal of Marketing 66(3), 112-127 (SAGE Publishing)

openalex publication_date 2002/07/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/27

Abstract

Four studies investigate the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act's (NLEA's) impact on how consumers use nutrition information. Field and laboratory studies compare, but do not detect any changes in, consumers' search for nutrition information or their recall of this information in the pre- and post-NLEA periods. However, the search activities of a select group (highly motivated and less knowledgeable consumers) benefited more from the NLEA than did other groups. Additional results from the field and lab studies indicate that the NLEA changed attention to negative nutrition attributes (such as fat and sodium, of which less is better) more than it changed attention to positive attributes such as calcium and vitamins. Analyses of scanner databases confirm this trend (with the exception of calories). Focus group results also reflect these findings. The authors discuss implications for public policy, management, academic research, and consumer welfare.

Citations

• Carrots, Sticks, and Promises: A Conceptual Framework for the Management of Public Health and Social Issue Behaviors

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