Food Label Use and Awareness of Nutritional Information Among Consumers in Bahrain: An Exploratory Study
Abstract
Nutritional labeling allows consumers to make informed and healthier food choices. It is particularly useful for people who are on special diets requiring specific foods for their health conditions. This study interviewed 430 consumers (60% were female) while shopping at various grocery stores in the Kingdom of Bahrain to assess their knowledge, attitudes and practices with regards to food labelling. Consumers' responses showed little awareness of the value of reading the food label (only 42% of consumers buying prepackaged food read the label). The majority of the consumers (92%) read the basic information like production and expiry dates; 60% believed that food labels are useful tools for consumers. In addition, they reported that amount of fat and sugar were the most important items to be looked at when they buy the product for the first time. A lot of work is needed to raise the level of awareness of the consumers about the nutrition aspects of reading food labels in order to assist them to make their best healthy food choices.
Keywords: Food Labels, Pre-packaged Foods, Awareness, Nutrition, Health
References
[1] Vijaykumar S., Lwin MO., Chao J., Au C. (2013). Determinants of food label use among supermarket shoppers: a Singaporean perspective. J Nutr Educ Behav,45(3),204- 212.
[2] Al Tamimi & Company (2004). Standardization and Classification in the UAE. Retrieved from Center for Food safety (2006). Benefits of Nutrition Information on Food Labels.
[3] Washi S. (2012). Awareness of Food Labeling among Consumers in Groceries in AlAin, United Arab Emirates. International Journal of Marketing Studies, 4(1), 38-47.
[4] WHO/FAO. (2003). WHO/FAO Diet, Nutrition and the prevention of chronic diseases. Available online: http://www.fao.org/docrep/008/y7867e/y7867e02.htm# bm02
[5] McLean, P. E. (2001). An analysis of nutritional label use in the Southern United States. Journal of Food Distribution Research, Food Distribution Research Society, 32(1), 110-114.
[6] Whitney E., & Rolfes S. R. (2005). Understanding Nutrition (10th ed.). WADS Worth; P: 55-61.
[7] Godwin S. L., Speller H. L., Thompson C. (2006). Evaluating the nutrition label: its use in and impact on purchasing decisions by consumers. Journal of Food Distribution Research, Food Distribution Research Society, 0 (1), 1-5.
[8] Cowburn G, Stockley L. (2005) Consumer understanding and use of nutrition labelling: a systematic review. Public Health Nutrition, 8(1), 21-8.
[9] Grunert K, Willis J. (2007). A review of European research on consumer response to nutrition information on food labels. Journal of Public Health, 15(5),385-399.
[10] Levy S., Feins S. B., Schucker R. E. (2001). More effective nutrition label formats are not necessarily preferred. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 92 (10), 1230– 1234.
[11] Himbachi J. T., Stokes, R. C. (2003). Nutrition labeling and public health: Survey of American Institute of nutrition members, food industry and Consumers. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 96, 700 – 708. Available online: http://www.jheimbach. com/published.html
[12] Nayga RJ. (2000). Nutrition knowledge, gender, and food label use. The Journal of Consumer Affair, 34(1),97-112.
[13] Satia JA, Galanko JA, Neuhouser ML. (2005). Food nutrition label use is associated with demographic, behavioral, and psychosocial factors and dietary intakeamong African Americans in North Carolina. Journal of the American Dietetic Association,105(3):392-402.
[14] McLean-Meyinsse P. (2001). An analysis of nutritional label use in the Southern United States. Journal of Food Distribution Research, 32(1),110-114.
[15] Guthrie J, Fox J, Cleveland L, Welsh S. (1995). Who uses nutritional labeling, and what effects does label use have on diet quality? Journal of Nutritional Education, 27(4),163-172.
[16] Washi S. (2002). Knowledge, attitudes and practices of Saudi consumers on food labeling. Arab Nutrition Journal, 6, 23-31. Center for Studies and Research, Bahrain.
[17] Washi, S. (2001). Nutritional aspects of food labeling in Saudi Arabia. Ahfad Journal, 18 (2), 17-29.
[18] Bazhan M, Mirghotbi M, Amiri Z. (2015). Food labels: An analysis of the consumers’ reasons for non-use. Journal of Paramedical Sciences ( JPS), 6(1), 1-10.
[19] Patel D, Dutta S. (2017). Study of Consumer Awareness on Food Labelling and Use of Pack Information for Purchase of Pre-Packaged Food Products. The International Journal of Indian Psychology, 4(4), 63-72.
[20] Song J, Huang J, Chen Y, Zhu Y, Li H, Wen Y et al., (2015). The understanding, attitude and use of nutrition label among consumers (China). Nutricion Hospitalaria, 31(6), 2703-2710.
[21] Themba G, Tanjo J. (2013). Consumer awareness and usage of nutrition information in Botswana. Business and Management Horizon, 1 (1), 44- 58.