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 · 25 citations
Medicine · Business, Management and Accounting · #Consumer Attitudes and Food Labeling #Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet #Consumer Packaging Perceptions and Trends

paper · doi:10.1509/jmkg.66.3.112.18502

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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