From Nutrition Label to Nutrition Path: An Integrative Review of Consumer Nutritional Information Processing

Existing research focuses on consumer information processing of food nutrition labels at the point of purchase and on the most efficient nutrition label formats to promote healthier food choices. However, the nutrition label is one piece of the whole product information delivered at the point of purchase, and the nutritional information influence is a pervasive process that happens throughout the daily lives of consumers. The current research reviews previous research on nutrition label use and consumer information processing, as well as industry marketing efforts and government regulations, and then makes the following conclusions: first, nutrition label information processing efficiency is increased when the information is attractively displayed on the front of the package in a summarized, simple and user-friendly format, with the possible addition of health logos or nutritional claims; second, the nutrition label is one stimulus of the whole nutritional information process, and it needs to be integrated into the more comprehensive nutritional policy. Nutrition Label, Information Processing IESEG Working Paper Series 2013-MARK-07