Perception of portuguese consumers regarding food labeling

• Autor(a) principal: Silva, Bruna
• Data de Publicação: 2022
• Outros Autores: PM Lima, João, Santos, Ana, Pinto, Ezequiel, Fialho, Sónia
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos)
• Texto Completo: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.26/45191
• topic: Food labels; Consumer perception; Food and nutrition literacy; Consumer choice; Rótulos dos alimentos; Percepção do consumidor; Literacia alimentar e nutricional; Escolha do consumidor

Food labels are the first information tool used by consumers in the purchase and consumption of food products. Food labeling is a tool that can influence the consumers perception of quality and, in turn, their food choice. This study characterizes and demonstrates the importance of labeling and the degree of consumers’ perception and literacy about food labels through the application of an online questionnaire. The results obtained, in a sample of n = 467, showed that Portuguese consumers have the habit of reading the label and recognizing its importance but do not understand all the information contained in the label. They have an easier time understanding the front-of-pack labeling systems, especially those presented through symbols/colors. Thus, it demonstrates the need for greater education and literacy in the areas of food and nutrition so that through the reading and interpretation of labels, consumers can make informed food choices.