Study Title
Impact of color-coded and warning nutrition labelling schemes: A systematic review and network meta-analysis
Principal Investigator
Jing Song, Mhairi K. Brown, Monique Tan, Graham A. MacGregor, Jacqui Webster, Norm R. C. Campbell, Kathy Trieu, Cliona Ni Mhurchu, Laura K. Cobb, Feng J. He
Affiliation
Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Barts and The London School of Medicine & Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, University of Calgary, University of Auckland, Resolve to Save Lives, Vital Strategies
Start Date
Not specified
End Date
Not specified
Study Objective
To assess the impact of color-coded and warning labels on consumer purchasing behavior and explore the underlying psychological mechanisms affecting these behaviors.
Short Abstract
This systematic review and network meta-analysis examine the effects of color-coded and warning nutrition labels on consumer purchasing behavior. The study finds that color-coded labels, particularly traffic light labeling (TLS) and Nutri-Score (NS), significantly improve consumer choices towards healthier products. Warning labels were more effective at discouraging the purchase of unhealthful products. The results suggest that both types of labels influence purchasing behavior through different psychological mechanisms, such as perception of healthfulness and risk.
Study Design
Systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental studies.
Population
Global population, primarily adults
Sample Size
156 studies, including 101 RCTs and 55 non-RCTs
Inclusion Criteria
Studies evaluating the impact of four major front-of-package labels: Traffic Light Labeling System (TLS), Nutri-Score (NS), Nutrient Warning (NW), and Health Warning (HW)
Exclusion Criteria
Studies focusing on other label types or combining labels with additional interventions
Intervention/Exposure
Traffic Light Labels, Nutri-Score, Nutrient Warnings, Health Warnings
Outcome Measures
Changes in consumer purchasing behavior, overall healthfulness of products purchased, reductions in energy, sodium, fat, and saturated fat content of food purchases
Funding Source
No specific funding indicated
Collaborating Institutions
University of Auckland, University of New South Wales, Queen Mary University of London, University of Calgary, Vital Strategies
Ethics Approval
Not required (systematic review)
Publication Status
Published in PLoS Medicine, October 2021 Publication Link
Keywords
Nutrition labels, Traffic Light Labeling, Nutri-Score, Health Warning, Food policy, Consumer behavior, Systematic review
Data Collection Methods
Review and meta-analysis of peer-reviewed studies from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and SCOPUS
Primary Data Availability
Not applicable
Contact Information
Professor Feng J. He (