Nutritional Labelıng : Consumer Perceptıon and Preference and Content Analysıs

Abstract

Nutritional labeling can be an important and big step in nutrition information and education. In Turkey, to our knowledge, there does not exist any detailed study on nutritional labeling. This study was conducted at two phases: Field study was done on 200 randomly sampled shoppers by using a 3-page structured questionnaire. Laboratory analyses of several packaged foods which contained nutritional labeling were realized in the second phase. Findings of the field study indicated that when choosing packaged foods, consumers paid attention to brand name, quality and label information, and 92.5 % of the sampled consumers desired to see nutritional labeling on food packages. Amung 4 different n utritional labeling formants shown to respondents, the format in which nutrients indicated in •grams per 100 g of the food was preferred. Results of the laboratory analyses revealed that protein, fat and energy values of the pre-chosen food items were different than those declared by marketers.'