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Food Label Use and Awareness of Nutritional Information Among Consumers in Bahrain: An Exploratory Study

Published date: Oct 15 2018

Journal Title: KnE Life Sciences

Issue title: Sustainability and Resilience Conference: Mitigating Risks and Emergency Planning – Life Sciences Track

Pages: 26–36

DOI: 10.18502/kls.v4i6.3088

Authors:
Abstract:

Nutritional labeling allows consumers to make informed and healthier food choices. It is particularly useful for people who are on special diets requiring specific foods for their health conditions. This study interviewed 430 consumers (60% were female) while shopping at various grocery stores in the Kingdom of Bahrain to assess their knowledge, attitudes and practices with regards to food labelling. Consumers' responses showed little awareness of the value of reading the food label (only 42% of consumers buying prepackaged food read the label). The majority of the consumers (92%) read the basic information like production and expiry dates; 60% believed that food labels are useful tools for consumers. In addition, they reported that amount of fat and sugar were the most important items to be looked at when they buy the product for the first time. A lot of work is needed to raise the level of awareness of the consumers about the nutrition aspects of reading food labels in order to assist them to make their best healthy food choices.


Keywords: Food Labels, Pre-packaged Foods, Awareness, Nutrition, Health

References:

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