Prevalence of Nutrition Labeling and Claims on Processed, and Packaged Foods

Kwon, Kwang Il; Park, So Hyun; Lee, Jun Hyung; Kim, Jee Young; Yoo, Kwang Soo; Lee, Jee Sun; Kim, Seo Young; Sung, Hyuni; Nam, Hye Seon; Kim, Jong Wook; Lee, Hye Young; Park, Hye Kyung; Kim, Myung Chul

Abstract

This study investigated the prevalence of nutrition labeling and claims on processed and packaged foods. The final database consists of 1,287 foods, which were collected in two supermarkets in the Seoul area from September to November, 2006. An estimated 78% of KFDA-regulated processed, and packaged foods have nutrition labels. Nutrient content claims on food labels were identified in 21% of the foods which have nutrition labels. The prevalence of nutrition labels in this study is much higher than in previous studies due to the current expansion of the mandatory labeling regulation. However, false labeling and misleading contents claims were also identified. The food label is an important tool for enhancing the public's understanding of healthy choices of processed foods. Therefore, to maximize the benefits of the nutrition labeling regulation, industries, government agencies and health professionals should work together to help consumers make healthy dietary choices and improve their health.