1
|
Sousa IC, Mucinhato RMD, Prates CB, Zanin LM, da Cunha DT, Capriles VD, de Rosso VV, Stedefeldt E. Do Brazilian consumers intend to use food labels to make healthy food choices? An assessment before the front-of-package labelling policy. Food Res Int 2023; 172:113107. [PMID: 37689875 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2023.113107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
Front-of-package labelling is a measure that can facilitate consumption of healthier foods. This study examined the predictors of consumers' intentions to use food labelling to make healthy food choices and prevent non-communicable diseases before the implementation of the front-of-package labelling policy in Brazil. An extended theory of planned behaviour incorporating knowledge and food literacy served as the theoretical foundation. First, experts (n = 6) and the target population (n = 30) validated the questionnaire, and the validation data were analysed using content validity coefficients (CVC). An online questionnaire was administered to 783 participants, and data were collected between May and October 2022. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to test the prediction hypothesis. The questionnaire showed adequate content validity, with all indicators of CVC ≥ 0.75. In the PLS-SEM attitudes (p < 0.001), subjective norms (p < 0.001), knowledge (p < 0.001), and food literacy (p < 0.001) positively predicted the intention to use food labels to make healthy food choices, confirming the main hypothesis. Also, Food literacy and knowledge predicted all constructs of the theory of planned behaviour (p < 0.001). The results highlight the importance of providing nutritional knowledge and food literacy, developing nutritional skills and abilities to encourage consumers to make healthy food choices, and to strengthen other policies such as front-of-package labelling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Costa Sousa
- Food Labeling Observatory, Nutrition and Food Service Research Center (CPPNAC), Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), Santos, SP, Brazil.
| | - Raísa Moreira Dardaque Mucinhato
- Postgraduate Program in Nutrition - Federal University of São Paulo - UNIFESP, 862, Botucatu St, Vila Clementino, São Paulo, SP 04024-002, Brazil.
| | - Carolina Bottini Prates
- Postgraduate Program in Nutrition - Federal University of São Paulo - UNIFESP, 862, Botucatu St, Vila Clementino, São Paulo, SP 04024-002, Brazil.
| | - Laís Mariano Zanin
- Health Sciences Department, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo - USP, 3900 Bandeirantes Av., Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14049-900, Brazil.
| | - Diogo Thimoteo da Cunha
- Multidisciplinary Laboratory of Food and Health, School of Applied Sciences - State University of Campinas - UNICAMP - SP, 1300, Pedro Zaccaria St., Limeira, SP 13484-350, Brazil.
| | - Vanessa Dias Capriles
- Food Labeling Observatory, Nutrition and Food Service Research Center (CPPNAC), Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), Santos, SP, Brazil; Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), Institute of Health and Society (Campus Baixada Santista), Department of Biosciences, Silva Jardim st, 136, 11015-020, Santos, SP, Brazil.
| | - Veridiana Vera de Rosso
- Food Labeling Observatory, Nutrition and Food Service Research Center (CPPNAC), Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), Santos, SP, Brazil.
| | - Elke Stedefeldt
- Food Labeling Observatory, Nutrition and Food Service Research Center (CPPNAC), Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), Santos, SP, Brazil; Department of Preventive Medicine - Federal University of São Paulo - UNIFESP, 740, Botucatu St, fourth floor, Vila Clementino, São Paulo, SP 04024-002, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|