L’influence du format de l’étiquetage sur l’utilisation et la compréhension de l’information nutritionnelle : résultats d’une expérimentation menée en restauration collective

Background Nutrition labeling usually describes food product composition in terms of nutrients. This article aims at investigating the influence of nutrition labeling on use and understanding of nutrition information in workplace restaurants and comparing the difference between a nutrient-based labeling and an alternative labeling based on food groups. Methods In this respect, an experiment was conducted in two workplace restaurants during 4 weeks. Then, a survey was carried out, covering 329 individuals, to assess use and understanding of nutrition information. Results We found that 42.9% of the sample saw the nutrient labeling and only 5.2% said they used it. Our results show that both labeling formats lead to high understanding. Nutrition labeling format was found to have no significant influence on use and understanding of nutrition information. In spite of these results, food groups labeling were perceived as easier to process than nutrient-based labeling. Conclusion Understanding is more widespread than use among participants suggesting that the main hurdle to information use comes from a lack of motivation. Food groups labeling are of limited interest compared to nutrient-based labeling.