1. Facts Up Front Versus Traffic Light Food Labels
A Randomized Controlled Trial
A Presentation By:
Mujan Noroozian
Christina A. Roberto, PhD, Marie A. Bragg, MS, MPhil, Marlene B. Schwartz, PhD, Marissa J. Seamans, BA, Aviva Musicus, Nicole Novak, MS, Kelly D. Brownell, PhD

2. Background Purpose of study:
To test consumer understanding of Facts Up Front system vs. Multiple Traffic Light system
To examine helpfulness of “nutrients to encourage”
Roberto CA, Bragg MA, Schwartz MB, et al. Facts up front versus traffic light food labels: a randomized controlled trial. American journal of preventive medicine. 2012;43:134.

3. Sample
Roberto CA, Bragg MA, Schwartz MB, et al. Facts up front versus traffic light food labels: a randomized controlled trial. American journal of preventive medicine. 2012;43:134.

4. Methods: Label Conditions
Roberto CA, Bragg MA, Schwartz MB, et al. Facts up front versus traffic light food labels: a randomized controlled trial. American journal of preventive medicine. 2012;43:134.

5. Methods: Nutrition Criteria
U.S. brand name products
Nutrient content classification based on FDA guidelines
Sugar recommendations from American Heart Assoc.
Roberto CA, Bragg MA, Schwartz MB, et al. Facts up front versus traffic light food labels: a randomized controlled trial. American journal of preventive medicine. 2012;43:134.

6. Survey Procedure Public Service Announcement viewed
Nutrient level comparison quiz
Viewed 8 different individual products
Roberto CA, Bragg MA, Schwartz MB, et al. Facts up front versus traffic light food labels: a randomized controlled trial. American journal of preventive medicine. 2012;43:134.

7. Products

8. Nutrient Level Comparison Quiz

9. Front of Package Label Performance

10. Outcome Main Outcomes Nutrient Level Comparisons Quiz:
All groups outperformed control group.
Facts Up Front group had best performance.
Total Nutrient Level Quiz:
FUF+ & TL+ had best overall scores.
Saturated Fat Quiz:
All groups except FUF outperformed control group.
Traffic Light+ did better than all groups.
Traffic Light group outperformed both FUF groups.
Roberto CA, Bragg MA, Schwartz MB, et al. Facts up front versus traffic light food labels: a randomized controlled trial. American journal of preventive medicine. 2012;43:134.
Main Outcomes
Nutrient Level Comparisons Quiz:
All groups outperformed control group.
Facts Up Front group had best performance.
Total Nutrient Level Quiz:
Saturated Fat Quiz:
All groups except FUF outperformed control group.
Traffic Light+ did better than all groups.
Traffic Light group outperformed both FUF groups.
Sugars Quiz:
All groups except FUF+ outperformed control group.
Traffic Light+ group did better than all groups.
Traffic Light group outperformed both FUF groups

11. Outcome Main Outcomes Main outcomes Sugars Quiz:
All groups except FUF+ outperformed control group.
Traffic Light+ group did better than all groups.
Traffic Light group outperformed both FUF groups
Sodium Quiz:
All groups outperformed control group.
Both Traffic Lights did better than FUF groups.
Traffic Light+ had best performance.
Fiber/Protein Quiz:
Both plus groups outperformed control group.
Control group didn’t differ from Traffic Light and FUF group
Roberto CA, Bragg MA, Schwartz MB, et al. Facts up front versus traffic light food labels: a randomized controlled trial. American journal of preventive medicine. 2012;43:134.
Main outcomes
Sodium Quiz: All groups outperformed control group.
Both Traffic Lights did better than FUF groups.
Traffic Light+ had best performance.
Fiber/Protein Quiz: Both plus groups outperformed control group.
Control group didn’t differ from Traffic Light and FUF group

12. Participants perceptions Ease of Label Interpretation
After Survey
Participants perceptions
This food label has too much information.
Reading and understanding this food label takes more time than I am willing to spend.
Ease of Label Interpretation
I feel well informed by this food label.
This food label can help me in choosing foods.
This food label can help me to understand the product’s nutrition composition.
This food label can help me decide what to buy.
It is better for me to use this food label for my buying decision rather than to rely on my own knowledge of food nutrition and ingredients.

13. Socio-demographic Information
After Survey
Socio-demographic Information
Age
BMI
Gender
Race/ethnicity
Education level
Income
Currently trying to lose weight

14. Results
Front of package nutrition label-can improve accuracy of judgments about nutritional quality of foods/beverages.
FUF labels & Traffic Light + helped people determine which products had higher or lower levels of nutrients.
When comparing products based on protein/fiber-FUF+ & TL+ equal.
Traffic Light + had best overall performance.
Facts Up Front groups outperformed the control group.
Roberto CA, Bragg MA, Schwartz MB, et al. Facts up front versus traffic light food labels: a randomized controlled trial. American journal of preventive medicine. 2012;43:134.

15. Discussion
A. Traffic Light Labels more helpful (avg. score for TL+ was >90%)
Suggests that displaying fiber + protein might help participants judge other nutrient levels.
More user friendly.
B. Facts Up Front Labels (avg. scores ranged from 47%-72%)
Good for companies if they want to select different nutrients to encourage.
Helpful when comparing 2 products on sugar, sodium, & sat. fat only.
Participants found it more confusing (too much info & took too much time).
C. Perceptions of Health, Taste, & Intent to buy
Not influenced by label conditions.
Suggest that labels may help inform consumers but not change behavior.

16. Limitations/Strengths
Participants from internet panel
Randomized controlled trial
Small sample of products examined
Large sample representative of educational profile of the U.S.
Interpretation information given before quizzes
Well organized
Label condition names similar
Had more Caucasian participants
Roberto CA, Bragg MA, Schwartz MB, et al. Facts up front versus traffic light food labels: a randomized controlled trial. American journal of preventive medicine. 2012;43:134.

17. Conclusion
Overall: Traffic Light + condition group performed better than Facts Up Front conditions.
Roberto CA, Bragg MA, Schwartz MB, et al. Facts up front versus traffic light food labels: a randomized controlled trial. American journal of preventive medicine. 2012;43:134.

18. References

19. Additional Information
Finland: Heart Symbol Program
The Netherlands: Choices Program
Sweden/Denmark/Norway: Keyhole Program
ministers/council-of-ministers-for-fisheries-and-aquaculture-agriculture- food-and-forestry-mr-fjls/keyhole-nutrition-label
United Kingdom: Traffic Light Label
Roberto CA, Bragg MA, Schwartz MB, et al. Facts up front versus traffic light food labels: a randomized controlled trial. American journal of preventive medicine. 2012;43:134.