Publication: Consumer awareness and understanding of front-ofpack (FOP) energy icon labelling in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
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Date
2019
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Abstract
Introduction: The implementation of front-of-pack (FOP) energy icon labelling helps consumers in making good food choices. This is the first study in Malaysia focusing on such labelling since it was launched in 2012. It was aimed at determining the awareness and understanding of the FOP energy icon on food labels in Malaysia.
Methods: A total of 366 consumers aged 18-60 years old in the state of Negeri Sembilan participated in the study. A guided, self-administered survey was conducted using a convenient sampling method.
Results: The results showed that 85% of consumers surveyed were aware of FOP energy icon. Among those who were aware of the icon, 50% (n=155) were categorised as ‘excellent’ and 41% (n=128) categorised as ‘good’, for understanding the FOP.
Conclusion: This study indicated that the icon could be viewed as a potential tool to be used in conjunction with the nutrition information panel (NIP). Most of the respondents could extract nutrition information from the FOP (energy) icon. The study showed that those who had understood the icon were in the group categories of high education, youth and female. There was also no significant association between those who received nutrition labelling education and level of understanding nutrition information from the icon. Therefore, it is important to further explore the possibility the beneficial impact of FOP labelling system, including consumer education aspects.
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Keywords
Label, Nutrition labelling, Front-of-pack (FOP), Energy icon