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Analysis of F ront‐of‐ P ack labelling systems on packaged non‐alcoholic beverages for A ustralian consumer guidance
Author(s) -
Yang ChunShun,
Liu Xiaoman,
Ford Pauline,
Leishman Shaneen,
Schubert Lisa
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
nutrition and dietetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.479
H-Index - 31
eISSN - 1747-0080
pISSN - 1446-6368
DOI - 10.1111/1747-0080.12257
Subject(s) - labelling , food science , fruit juice , business , nutrition labeling , soft drink , medicine , psychology , chemistry , criminology
Aim Numerous F ront‐of‐ P ack nutrition labelling systems have been proposed in recent years to assist consumers in making healthier food choices, including reducing sugar intake. Packaged beverages represent one product category that has undergone significant diversification and has emerging new subcategories. The present study examined the implications of applying three different currently used or proposed F ront‐of P ack nutrition labels to a range of pre‐packaged beverage products to descriptively assess their potential utility. Methods The Traffic Light System, % Daily Intake label and the Health Star Rating system were applied in accordance with established criteria and standards on 31 non‐alcoholic pre‐packaged beverages representing eight subcategories. Results There were often considerable differences between labelling system ratings for the same products. The Traffic Light System had similar labelling when comparing soft drinks and fruit juice and sodium content was marked as low for all tested products. Percentage Daily Intake reflected similar results for regular soft drinks and fruit juices; however, in terms of energy, liquid breakfast ranked highest followed by energy drinks, fruit juice and soft drinks. The Health Star Rating showed the fruit juice category to be healthier than other beverages, including water. Diet products scored 0.5–1 stars more than regular products. Conclusions The Health Star Rating system was concluded to be more suitable to label beverages based on better utility, applicability and ease of identifying healthier beverage choices; however, this system would benefit from further refinement. Labelling simplicity, health representativeness, marketplace utility and consumer comprehensiveness are important considerations for future labelling development.