Examination of front-of-packaged (FOP) labelling systems and nutrition-health statements on packaged foods in Türkiye
Abstract
There is a growing trend worldwide towards greater awareness of food labelling systems in the fight against global challenges such as unhealthy nutrition and obesity. Nearly 30 governments have approved various front-of-package (FOP) labelling systems, and many countries plan to adopt them. However, since there is no legal regulation regarding FOP labelling systems in Türkiye, nutrition and health-related statements appear on many packaged food products. Although these statements enable consumers to make healthy food choices, they also have the potential to mislead consumers by supporting the perception that foods lacking essential nutritional components or containing potentially harmful substances are healthy. This study examined FOP labelling systems used worldwide, and nutrition and health-related statements on the front of 1336 packaged foods in 6 categories in Türkiye were analysed. Although it varies in each category, the most common expressions are generally recommended daily amount (%14.5), fat (%16), sugar (%9.9), vitamin-mineral (%5.1), and protein (%9.4). Additionally, salt (%0,9), vegan (%2), additive (%11.6) and fibre content (%6.8) information is also commonly declared. As a result, the implementation of effective labeling regulations in Turkey can enhance public health and mitigate the adverse effects of unhealthy nutrition on society.
Ethical Statement
The authors declare that this study does not include experiments with human or animal subjects, so ethics committee approval is not required.
References
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- Ndanuko, R., Maganja, D., Kibet, A., Coyle, D.H., Kimiywe, J., Raubenheimer, D., Marklund, M., & Wu, J.H.Y. (2021). Sodium content and labelling completeness of packaged foods and beverages in Kenya. Nutrients, 13(4), 1385. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13041385
- Ricardo, C.Z., Peroseni, I. M., Mais, L.A., Martins, A.P. B., & Duran, A.C. (2019). Trans fat labeling information on Brazilian packaged foods. Nutrients, 11(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11092130
- Singh, A.K., Ramakanth, D., Kumar, A., Lee, Y.S., & Gaikwad, K.K. (2021). Active packaging technologies for clean label food products: a review. Journal of Food Measurement and Characterization, 15(5), 4314–4324. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11694-021-01024-3
- Sousa, I.C., Mucinhato, R.M.D., Prates, C.B., Zanin, L.M., da Cunha, D.T., Capriles, V.D., de Rosso, V.V., & Stedefeldt, E. (2023). Do Brazilian consumers intend to use food labels to make healthy food choices? An assessment before the front-of-package labelling policy. Food Research International, 172, 113107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2023.113107
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Abstract
References
- An, R., Shi, Y., Shen, J., Bullard, T., Liu, G., Yang, Q., Chen, N., & Cao, L. (2021). Effect of front-of-package nutrition labeling on food purchases: a systematic review. Public Health, 191, 59–67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2020.06.035
- Batista, M.F., de Carvalho-Ferreira, J.P., Thimoteo da Cunha, D., & De Rosso, V.V. (2023). Front-of-package nutrition labeling as a driver for healthier food choices: Lessons learned and future perspectives. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, 22(1), 535–586. https://doi.org/10.1111/1541-4337.13085
- Bayram, H.M., & Ozturkcan, S.A. (2022). The multiple ‘traffic light’ labels: Are they a promising alternative for packaged foods and beverages sold in Turkey. International Journal of Health Promotion and Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/14635240.2022.2079547
- Bryła, P. (2020). Who Reads Food Labels? Selected Predictors of Consumer Interest in Front-of-Package and Back-of-Package Labels during and after the Purchase. Nutrients, 12(9), 2605. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12092605 Carruba, M.O., Caretto, A., De Lorenzo, A., Fatati, G., Ghiselli, A., Lucchin, L., Maffeis, C., Malavazos, A., Malfi, G., Riva, E., Ruocco, C., Santini, F., Silano, M., Valerio, A., Vania, A., & Nisoli, E. (2022). Front-of-pack (FOP) labelling systems to improve the quality of nutrition information to prevent obesity: NutrInform Battery vs Nutri-Score. Eating and Weight Disorders, 27(5), 1575–1584. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-021-01316-z
- de Boer, A., & Bast, A. (2015). International legislation on nutrition and health claims. Food Policy, 55, 61–70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2015.06.002
- Kanter, R., Reyes, M., & Corvalań, C. (2017). Photographic methods for measuring packaged food and beverage products in supermarkets. Current Developments in Nutrition, 1(10), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.3945/cdn.117.001016
- Kanter, R., Vanderlee, L., & Vandevijvere, S. (2018). Front-of-package nutrition labelling policy: Global progress and future directions. Public Health Nutrition, 21(8), 1399–1408. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980018000010
- Muzzioli, L., Penzavecchia, C., Donini, L.M., & Pinto, A. (2022). Are front-of-pack labels a health policy tool? Nutrients, 14(4), 771. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14040771
- Ndanuko, R., Maganja, D., Kibet, A., Coyle, D.H., Kimiywe, J., Raubenheimer, D., Marklund, M., & Wu, J.H.Y. (2021). Sodium content and labelling completeness of packaged foods and beverages in Kenya. Nutrients, 13(4), 1385. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13041385
- Ricardo, C.Z., Peroseni, I. M., Mais, L.A., Martins, A.P. B., & Duran, A.C. (2019). Trans fat labeling information on Brazilian packaged foods. Nutrients, 11(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11092130
- Singh, A.K., Ramakanth, D., Kumar, A., Lee, Y.S., & Gaikwad, K.K. (2021). Active packaging technologies for clean label food products: a review. Journal of Food Measurement and Characterization, 15(5), 4314–4324. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11694-021-01024-3
- Sousa, I.C., Mucinhato, R.M.D., Prates, C.B., Zanin, L.M., da Cunha, D.T., Capriles, V.D., de Rosso, V.V., & Stedefeldt, E. (2023). Do Brazilian consumers intend to use food labels to make healthy food choices? An assessment before the front-of-package labelling policy. Food Research International, 172, 113107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2023.113107
- Temple, N.J. (2020). Front-of-package food labels: A narrative review. Appetite, 144, 104485. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2019.104485
Details
| Primary Language | English |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Food Safety, Traceability, Certification and Authenticity |
| Journal Section | Research Articles |
| Authors | |
| Early Pub Date | June 3, 2024 |
| Publication Date | July 15, 2024 |
| Submission Date | March 14, 2024 |
| Acceptance Date | May 6, 2024 |
| Published in Issue | Year 2024Volume: 10 Issue: 3 |
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