Determining How Low-Income Food Shoppers Perceive, Understand, and Use Food Labels

Publication: Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
March 2003

Abstract

A facilitated group discussion approach was used to explore how a group of eight low-income consumers perceive, understand, and use the current food label for food-shopping decisions. Meeting for one hour on three consecutive weeks in a community facility, the group discussed the total food package, the ingredient list alone and in combination with the nutritioninformation panel, and nutrition claims. All sessions were recorded and later transcribed verbatim. Through inductive analysis, three broad categories (brand name, package feature, and nutritionrelated information) and numerous underlying themes emerged from the data; a theoretical framework was proposed to explain the data and provide future direction. A number of barriers to effective use of the food label were identified, and some actionable tips for dietetic practice were suggested.

Résumé

Une approche par groupe de discussion avec facilitateur a été utilisée pour explorer la façon dont un groupe de huit consommateurs à faible revenu perçoivent, comprennent et utilisent l’étiquetage actuel dans leurs décisions d’achat d’aliments. Dans des rencontres de une heure pendant trois semaines consécutives dans un lieu communautaire, le groupe discutait de l’emballage dans son ensemble, de la liste des ingrédients seule et avec le tableau d’information nutritionnelle ainsi que des allégations nutritionnelles. Toutes les séances étaient enregistrées puis transcrites textuellement. Par une analyse inductive, trois grandes catégories (marque, type d’emballage et information nutritionnelle) et de nombreux thèmes sous-jacents sont ressortis des données; un cadre de référence théorique a été proposé pour expliquer les données et fournir des orientations futures. Un certain nombre d’obstacles à l’usage efficace de l’étiquette ont été dégagés et des conseils ont été formulés pour la pratique diététique.

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Information & Authors

Information

Published In

cover image Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
Volume 64Number 1March 2003
Pages: 25 - 27

History

Version of record online: 12 February 2007

Authors

Affiliations

Ann D. Sullivan, PhD, PDt
Department of Human Nutrition, St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, NS

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Cited by

1. Benchmarks and Blinders: How Canadian Women Utilize the Nutrition Facts Table

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