Background EU regulation No 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers applies to food business operators at all stages of the food chain. It introduces some changes such as the nutrition facts label, required on pre-packaged products, to protect public health. Aim of the study is investigating the knowledge of consumers about labels and their relationship with food. Methods From November 2015 to March 2016 two checklist were submitted to 139 tuscan consumers aged from 14 to 75. The first questionnaire investigated the relationship between consumers and labels. A second checklist (Bratman test) was applied to evaluate the presence of people obsessed with health and diets. Results This study shows a widespread attention to labels by 93% (129/139) of consumers and check of food origin by 60% (83/139) of respondents, above all from people over 30 years. 70% (97/139) of all consumers reads nutrition facts label, especially people between 14 and 30 years. 40% of people under 30 years looks for the presence of additives in food while 13% of consumers over 65 years looks for the presence of salt and aromas. Bratman test results do not show differences between male and female, but 23% (32/139) of people have a potential obsession with eating healthy food. Conclusion The data suggest the need to prevent and change some consumers lifestyle promoting healthy eating habits, through education plans applied by high schools, physicians and mass-media. Message 1 Eating disorders risk is underestimated. Message 2 European regulations and food training are needed to ensure a good people lifestyle.
Evaluation of the relationship between consumers and food labels in Tuscany (Italy)
CASINI, BEATRICE;VALENTINI, PAOLA;MICCOLI, MARIO;PRIVITERA, GAETANO PIERPAOLO;BAGGIANI, ANGELO
2016-01-01
Abstract
Background EU regulation No 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers applies to food business operators at all stages of the food chain. It introduces some changes such as the nutrition facts label, required on pre-packaged products, to protect public health. Aim of the study is investigating the knowledge of consumers about labels and their relationship with food. Methods From November 2015 to March 2016 two checklist were submitted to 139 tuscan consumers aged from 14 to 75. The first questionnaire investigated the relationship between consumers and labels. A second checklist (Bratman test) was applied to evaluate the presence of people obsessed with health and diets. Results This study shows a widespread attention to labels by 93% (129/139) of consumers and check of food origin by 60% (83/139) of respondents, above all from people over 30 years. 70% (97/139) of all consumers reads nutrition facts label, especially people between 14 and 30 years. 40% of people under 30 years looks for the presence of additives in food while 13% of consumers over 65 years looks for the presence of salt and aromas. Bratman test results do not show differences between male and female, but 23% (32/139) of people have a potential obsession with eating healthy food. Conclusion The data suggest the need to prevent and change some consumers lifestyle promoting healthy eating habits, through education plans applied by high schools, physicians and mass-media. Message 1 Eating disorders risk is underestimated. Message 2 European regulations and food training are needed to ensure a good people lifestyle.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
