South African consumers’ perceptions of front-of-package warning labels on unhealthy foods and drinks
Loading...
Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Public Library of Science
Abstract
Front-of-package labeling (FOPL) is a policy tool that helps consumers to make informed
food choices. South Africa has not yet implemented this labeling system. The aim of this
study was therefore to explore adult South African consumers’ perceptions of front-of-package warning labels on foods and non-alcoholic beverages (referred to as drinks in this
paper) and their insights into features that could influence the effectiveness of the warning
label. Using a qualitative approach, the study purposively selected consumers diversified by
urbanization, gender, socioeconomic status, and literacy. We collected data from a total of
113 participants through 12 focus group discussions. Data were systematically coded and
divided into five themes namely, positive attitudes toward warning labels, perceived benefits
of warning labels, perceived behavior modification, perceived beneficiaries of warning
labels, and effective attributes of warning labels.
Description
Keywords
Consumers, South Africa, unhealthy foods, Package labelling, Non-alcoholic beverages
Citation
Bopape, M. et al. (2021). South African consumers’ perceptions of front-of-package warning labels on unhealthy foods and drinks. Plos One, 16(9), e0257626. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0257626