Understanding the low use rate of food nutrition information in China

Guan, Lijun; Zhang, Yan; Jin, Shaosheng; Zhou, Lin

doi:10.22434/ifamr2020.0162

Cited by 4 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…There is consistent evidence in the present study that nutritional tables were widely used by the consumers in the Multi-Channel and Moderate clusters with high levels of nutrition knowledge, healthy eating behaviors, and high incomes. There is a low rate of utilization of food nutrition information in China, and ignorance and a belief that information is not useful are the primary cause of this [45]. As such, smart nutrition labeling policies should first aim to maximize consumer response through wide recognition and acceptance.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Consumer Segmentation Study of Nutrition Information Seeking and Its Relation to Food Consumption in Beijing, China

Yin

Wang

Shen

2022

Foods

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The aim of this study is to identify consumer groups based on nutrition information-seeking behavior and how it relates to food consumption. Although the Chinese public can now access nutrition information through different channels, research on the segmentation of homogeneous consumer groups seeking nutrition information is lacking. This study closes this research gap and, in doing so, also shows how information seeking is related to dietary behavior. A questionnaire was sent out to a stratified random sample in Beijing, resulting in 448 responses. A cluster analysis using hierarchical methods was conducted, identifying four distinct consumer groups: Multi-Channel (27.43%), Mass Media (20.57%), Moderate (27.88%), and Uninterested (24.12%). The four segments differed significantly concerning food consumption frequencies, food literacy, and sociodemographic characteristics. Consumers who were more involved in nutrition information tended to eat healthier. Our findings indicate that nutrition information is worth promoting, but this kind of intervention is not a cure-all. Targeted interventions should focus on uninterested populations by providing non-informational nudging strategies to promote healthy eating behaviors. This study contributes to the identification of meaningful profiles for targeted interventions, particularly as regards uninterested or unreached consumers.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Consumer Segmentation Study of Nutrition Information Seeking and Its Relation to Food Consumption in Beijing, China

Yin

Wang

Shen

2022

Foods

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“…According to Food Safety National Standards for nutrition labelling of pre-packed foods (GB 28050-2011) [ 34 ], nutrition claims are categorised as content claims and comparison claims with criteria ( Table 2 ). Food Safety National Standards are enforced by law and administrative regulations [ 28 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Among less educated consumers, for instance, front-of-pack (FOP) VWM presenting a product’s key nutrients in a simplified format, played a more significant role than nutrition information tables in choosing healthy foods [ 27 ]. A study, surveying a large sample of consumers in 10 cities across five provinces in China, found that consumers used simplified FOP VWM significantly more frequently than detailed BOP nutrition information at point-of-purchase [ 28 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

On-the-Pack Voluntary Well-Being Messaging for Milks Targeting Chinese Older Adults: A Content Analysis

Chen

Moradi

Hort

2022

Foods

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China is experiencing severe population aging. Given that milks targeting older adults are one of the most popular foods designed for Chinese older adults (COA), this study investigated on-the-pack (OTP) voluntary well-being messaging (VWM, ways of communicating a product’s broad well-being benefits through information on food content or statements linked to favourable components, functions, or well-being outcomes) for milk targeting COA. Over 200 products identified from two sources (JD.com and Mintel’s global new products database), were analysed for type, content, and VWM frequency for different brand origins and milk sources of various animal species, nutrition claim regulation compliance and alignment with nutrition facts. The results suggested: (1) different brand origins (domestic vs. international) and milk source (cow vs. goat) highlighted different well-being aspects of products, (2) three products failed to comply with government regulations made for nutrition labelling of pre-packed foods (GB 28050-2011), but (3) excepting fat, all ‘contains’ claims and most ‘high’ claims did not reflect significantly greater levels of nutrients, compared to products with no claims. The findings create a comprehensive picture of OTP VWM for milks targeting older adults in China, providing useful information for consumer, domestic, and international dairy industries, and policymakers.

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“…In the case of new food nutrient enhancement technology that the public may be unacquainted with, studies suggest that the type, source, and framing of information provided to the consumers will always influence the public perception of functional foods [ 15 ]. Studies have shown that providing nutritional information is regarded as a very beneficial measure by government agencies around the globe [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ]. However, the nutritional information provided on back-of-pack nutrition facts panel and front-of-pack nutrition claims do not frequently assist consumers in making the best decision, since messages are not always easily understandable for most of the audience, especially in functional food [ 20 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Therefore, it is imperative to launch an information intervention to promote consumer understanding and confidence in utilizing nutritional labels and claims. To date, the impacts of information treatments on acceptance of, and preference for, functional eggs have not been extensively discussed in either developing or developed countries; and how consumers are simulated to purchase healthier food is far from being fully understood in China [ 15 , 16 ]. Overall, the content of existing information intervention at present is relatively simple.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does Supplementary Information Add Value to Functional Food? Evidence from a Choice Experiment in China

2022

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Establishing an effective choice architecture system enables people to improve their ability to make better food choices and encourage transformation of the food system into one that is more efficient, healthy, and sustainable. However, affecting consumer preferences by improving information supply is still a crucial issue that has not been comprehensively explored in China and many developing countries. This study aimed to identify the most effective information treatment method for increasing the likelihood of purchase and willingness to pay (WTP) for nutritionally enhanced eggs. A survey with five information treatments and a choice experiment was completed by a random sample of 2379 Chinese consumers, and the mixed logit model was subsequently applied to interpret the results. It was found that when nutritional information (NI), health benefit information (HBI), and/or market status quo information (MSQ) was presented to consumers, their utility increased. Different schemes had different effects on participants’ WTP. The HBI from scientific research institution, provided in the form of leaflets, has the most significant effect on improving WTP, increasing the WTP of consumers by 31.65%. WTP for functional eggs increased similarly in response to NI and MSQ information. However, adding NI to HBI did not significantly increase the value of functional eggs, especially when the information was presented to the interviewees in the form of short videos. This research broadens the present knowledge and application of an information communication strategy by suggesting that the combination of information content, carriers, source influence consumer preference and WTP for nutritionally enhanced eggs. The results have implications for the communication practices of food enterprises to optimize their marketing strategies and improve product innovation to add more value to the functional food.

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Understanding the low use rate of food nutrition information in China

Cited by 4 publications

References 37 publications

A Consumer Segmentation Study of Nutrition Information Seeking and Its Relation to Food Consumption in Beijing, China

A Consumer Segmentation Study of Nutrition Information Seeking and Its Relation to Food Consumption in Beijing, China

On-the-Pack Voluntary Well-Being Messaging for Milks Targeting Chinese Older Adults: A Content Analysis

Does Supplementary Information Add Value to Functional Food? Evidence from a Choice Experiment in China

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