Consumers reveal broad understanding of how to use labels. Study provides important consumer insights, says DG SANCO Director General Robert Madelin.
FLABEL (FOOD LABELLING TO ADVANCE BETTER EDUCATION FOR LIFE), the first EU-funded research programme on nutrition labelling, was officially launched today. This 3-year EU 7th Framework small collaborative FLABEL project, will provide state-of-the-art science on nutrition labels and consumer behaviour as well as best practice guidelines for future research, industry and policy-makers.
- Nutrition knowledge is generally good across Europe
- Broad understanding of different types of nutrition labelling schemes
- We know we should be eating more fruit and vegetables
Are parents over-feeding their children?
Parents need advice on how to feed their children - 35% think children need more calories than Dad
New study reveals high awareness and good understanding of nutrition labelling schemes in the UK but a lower use of labels in supermarkets
Despite UK shoppers being six times more likely to look at the front rather than the back of pack and 80% being aware of Guideline Daily Amount (GDA) and Traffic Light (TL) labelling schemes, new research from the European Food Information Council (EUFIC) shows that only one in four shoppers actually looked for nutrition information on food packaging in supermarkets.
Barcelona (EuroScience Open Forum) 18 July 2008
Consumers find it difficult to understand the balance between energy intake and output. In a recent online survey by the European Food Information Council (EUFIC), less than half of the respondents knew how much energy the body needs. Only 32% estimated correctly the physical activity needed to balance the energy consumed in a chocolate bar, and only 24% estimated correctly the average contribution of physical activity to daily energy expenditure.
To help resolve consumer confusion around this topic, EUFIC has launched a new section on its popular website dedicated to explaining
Energy Balance through the provision of supportive energy balance information and personalised interactive tools.
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