Información percibida por los consumidores a través del etiquetado sobre las grasas presentes en los alimentos: revisión sistemática / Information perceived by consumeres through food labeling on fats: a systematic review

Objetivo: Revisar la literatura científica relacionada con la información que reciben los consumidores sobre los distintos tipos de grasas de los alimentos a través del etiquetado. Método: Revisión sistemática de la documentación obtenida en las bases de datos MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE, CINAHL, FSTA, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, SCOPUS y LILACS; hasta septiembre 2013. Los términos utilizados, como descriptores y texto libre, fueron: «dietary fats», «dietary fats, unsaturated» y «food labeling». Se utilizó el límite «humanos». Resultados: Se recuperaron 549 referencias, de las que se seleccionaron 36 artículos tras aplicar los criterios de inclusión y exclusión. Los principales efectos relacionados con la información del etiquetado estuvieron relacionados con el precio y lugar de compra/consumo, las dimensiones sensoriales, los hábitos dietéticos, la interpretación de logotipos y la educación. Conclusiones: El etiquetado sobre el contenido de grasa en los alimentos es una buena ayuda a la hora de tomar decisiones de consumo. La educación nutricional y de los significados de las etiquetas es fundamental y se mostró efectiva aunque no se haya logrado el “consumidor informado”. Se deberían dirigir las acciones formativas hacia las creencias y actitudes anteriores de los consumidores para hacer coherente el mensaje de salud y alimentación. Las etiquetas deberían ser homogéneas y reales a la hora de expresar composición o exponer logotipos. Los mensajes incluidos en el empaquetado deben ser claros y no inducir a engaño (AU)

Objective: To review the scientific literature related to the information given to consumers about different types of fats in foods through food labeling. Method: Systematic review of the data found in MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE, CINAHL, FSTA, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, SCOPUS and LILACS databasis, until September 2013. The terms used as descriptors and free text were 'dietary fats', 'dietary fats, unsaturated' and 'food labeling'. The limit 'human' was used. Results: 549 references were retrieved, of which 36 articles were selected after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The main effects related to labeling information were linked to the price and place of purchase/ consumption, sensory dimensions, dietary habits, interpretation and education logo. Conclusions: Food labeling on fat content helps when making consumption decisions. Nutrition education and the meanings of food labels are essential and were effective although the 'informed consumer' is yet to be achieved. Training activities should be directed towards prior beliefs and attitudes of consumers in order to make the health and nutrition message consistent. Food labels should be homogeneous and truthful in terms of expressing composition or presenting logos, and messages included in the packaging should be clear and not misleading (AU)

[Consumer reaction to information on the labels of genetically modified food]. / Los usuarios ante los alimentos genéticamente modificados y su información en el etiquetado.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze consumer opinion on genetically modified foods and the information included on the label. METHODS: A systematic review of the scientific literature on genetically modified food labeling was conducted consulting bibliographic databases (Medline - via PubMed -, EMBASE, ISI-Web of knowledge, Cochrane Library Plus, FSTA, LILACS, CINAHL and AGRICOLA) using the descriptors "organisms, genetically modified" and "food labeling". The search covered the first available date, up to June 2012, selecting relevant articles written in English, Portuguese or Spanish. RESULTS: Forty articles were selected after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria. All of them should have conducted a population-based intervention focused on consumer awareness of genetically modified foods and their need or not, to include this on the label. The consumers expressed a preference for non-genetically modified products, and added that they were prepared to pay more for this but, ultimately, the product bought was that with the best price, in a market which welcomes new technologies. In 18 of the articles, the population was in favor of obligatory labelling, and in six, in favor of this being voluntary; seven studies showed the consumer knew little about genetically modified food, and in three, the population underestimated the quantity they consumed. Price was an influencing factor in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Label should be homogeneous and clarify the degree of tolerance of genetically modified products in humans, in comparison with those non-genetically modified. Label should also present the content or not of genetically modified products and how these commodities are produced and should be accompanied by the certifying entity and contact information. Consumers express their preference for non-genetically modified products and they even notice that they are willing to pay more for it, but eventually they buy the item with the best price, in a market that welcomes new technologies.

[Information perceived by consumers through food labeling on fats: a systematic review]. / Información percibida por los consumidores a través del etiquetado sobre las grasas presentes en los alimentos: revisión sistemática.

OBJECTIVE: To review the scientific literature related to the information given to consumers about different types of fats in foods through food labeling. METHOD: Systematic review of the data found in MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE, CINAHL, FSTA, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, SCOPUS and LILACS databasis, until September 2013. The terms used as descriptors and free text were "dietary fats", "dietary fats, unsaturated" and "food labeling". The limit "human" was used. RESULTS: 549 references were retrieved, of which 36 articles were selected after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The main effects related to labeling information were linked to the price and place of purchase/ consumption, sensory dimensions, dietary habits, interpretation and education logo. CONCLUSIONS: Food labeling on fat content helps when making consumption decisions. Nutrition education and the meanings of food labels are essential and were effective although the "informed consumer" is yet to be achieved. Training activities should be directed towards prior beliefs and attitudes of consumers in order to make the health and nutrition message consistent. Food labels should be homogeneous and truthful in terms of expressing composition or presenting logos, and messages included in the packaging should be clear and not misleading.

Objetivo: Revisar la literatura científica relacionada con la información que reciben los consumidores sobre los distintos tipos de grasas de los alimentos a través del etiquetado. Método: Revisión sistemática de la documentación obtenida en las bases de datos MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE, CINAHL, FSTA, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, SCOPUS y LILACS; hasta septiembre 2013. Los términos utilizados, como descriptores y texto libre, fueron: «dietary fats¼, «dietary fats, unsaturated¼ y «food labeling¼. Se utilizó el límite «humanos¼. Resultados: Se recuperaron 549 referencias, de las que se seleccionaron 36 artículos tras aplicar los criterios de inclusión y exclusión. Los principales efectos relacionados con la información del etiquetado estuvieron relacionados con el precio y lugar de compra/consumo, las dimensiones sensoriales, los hábitos dietéticos, la interpretación de logotipos y la educación. Conclusiones: El etiquetado sobre el contenido de grasa en los alimentos es una buena ayuda a la hora de tomar decisiones de consumo. La educación nutricional y de los significados de las etiquetas es fundamental y se mostró efectiva aunque no se haya logrado el "consumidor informado". Se deberían dirigir las acciones formativas hacia las creencias y actitudes anteriores de los consumidores para hacer coherente el mensaje de salud y alimentación. Las etiquetas deberían ser homogéneas y reales a la hora de expresar composición o exponer logotipos. Los mensajes incluidos en el empaquetado deben ser claros y no inducir a engaño.

Los usuarios ante los alimentos genéticamente modificados y su información en el etiquetado / Os usuários frente aos alimentos geneticamente modificados e a informação na etiqueta / Consumer reaction to information on the labels of genetically modified food

OBJETIVO : Analizar la opinión que los usuarios tienen sobre alimentos genéticamente modificados y su información en el etiquetado. MÉTODOS : Realizada revisión sistemática de la literatura científica sobre los alimentos transgénicos y el etiquetado a partir de la consulta de las bases de datos bibliográficas: Medline (vía PubMed), EMBASE, ISI-Web of Knowledge, Cochrane Library Plus, FSTA, LILACS, CINAHL y AGRICOLA. Los descriptores seleccionados fueron: «organisms, genetically modified ¼ y «food labeling¼. La búsqueda se realizó desde la primera fecha disponible hasta junio de 2012, seleccionando los artículos pertinentes escritos en inglés, portugués y castellano. RESULTADOS : Se seleccionaron 40 artículos. En todos ellos, se debía haber realizado una intervención poblacional enfocada al conocimiento de los consumidores sobre los alimentos genéticamente modificados y su necesidad, o no, de incluir información en el etiquetado. El consumidor expresa su preferencia por el producto no-genéticamente modificado, y apunta que está dispuesto a pagar algo más por él, pero, en definitiva compra el artículo que está a mejor precio en un mercado que acoge las nuevas tecnologías. En 18 artículos la población se mostraba favorable a su etiquetado obligatorio y seis al etiquetado voluntario; siete trabajos demostraban el poco conocimiento de la población sobre los transgénicos y, en tres, la población subestimó la cantidad que consumía. En todo caso, se observó la influencia del precio del producto genéticamente modificado. CONCLUSIONES : La etiqueta debe ser homogénea y aclarar el grado de tolerancia en humanos de alimentos genéticamente modificados en comparación con los no modificados. Asimismo, debe dejar claro su composición, ...

OBJETIVO : Analisar a opinião dos usuários sobre os alimentos geneticamente modificados e a informação apresentada na etiqueta. MÉTODOS : Foi realizada revisão sistemática da literatura científica sobre os alimentos transgênicos e a informação que eles apresentam na etiqueta a partir da consulta das bases de dados bibliográficos: Medline (via Pubmed), EMBASE, ISI-Web of Knowledge, Cochrane Library Plus, FSTA, LILACS, CINAHL e AGRICOLA. Os descritores selecionados foram: “organisms, genetically modified” e “food labeling”. A busca foi realizada desde a primeira data disponível até junho de 2012, selecionando os artigos pertinentes escritos em inglês, português e espanhol. RESULTADOS : Foram selecionados 40 artigos. Em todos eles, foi feita uma intervenção populacional focada no conhecimento dos consumidores sobre os alimentos geneticamente modificados e a sua necessidade, ou não, de incluir informação na etiqueta. O consumidor expressa a sua preferência pelo produto não- geneticamente modificado, e menciona estar disposto a pagar um pouco a mais por ele, porém, acaba comprando o artigo que esta mais em conta em um mercado que acolhe as novas tecnologias. Em 18 artigos a população mostrou-se favorável ao uso obrigatório da etiqueta e em seis deles, ao uso voluntario da mesma; sete trabalhos demonstraram o pouco conhecimento que a população tem sobre os transgênicos e, em três, a população subestimou a quantidade que consumia desses produtos. Contudo, foi observada a influencia do preço do produto geneticamente modificado. CONCLUSÕES : A etiqueta deve ser homogênea e esclarecer o grau de tolerância para os humanos dos alimentos geneticamente modificados em comparação com os não modificados. Também, ...

OBJECTIVE : To analyze consumer opinion on genetically modified foods and the information included on the label. METHODS : A systematic review of the scientific literature on genetically modified food labeling was conducted consulting bibliographic databases (Medline – via PubMed –, EMBASE, ISI-Web of knowledge, Cochrane Library Plus, FSTA, LILACS, CINAHL and AGRICOLA) using the descriptors “organisms, genetically modified” and “food labeling”. The search covered the first available date, up to June 2012, selecting relevant articles written in English, Portuguese or Spanish. RESULTS : Forty articles were selected after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria. All of them should have conducted a population-based intervention focused on consumer awareness of genetically modified foods and their need or not, to include this on the label. The consumers expressed a preference for non-genetically modified products, and added that they were prepared to pay more for this but, ultimately, the product bought was that with the best price, in a market which welcomes new technologies. In 18 of the articles, the population was in favor of obligatory labelling, and in six, in favor of this being voluntary; seven studies showed the consumer knew little about genetically modified food, and in three, the population underestimated the quantity they consumed. Price was an influencing factor in all cases. CONCLUSIONS : Label should be homogeneous and clarify the degree of tolerance of genetically modified products in humans, in comparison with those non-genetically modified. Label should also present the content or not of genetically modified products and how these commodities are produced and should be accompanied by the certifying entity and contact information. Consumers express their preference for non-genetically modifiedproducts and they even notice that they are willing to pay more for it, but eventually ...

[Interventions to reduce salt consumption through labeling]. / Intervenciones para reducir el consumo de sal a través del etiquetado.

OBJECTIVE: Determine the extent to which labeling of food products informs about salt consumption. METHODS: A critical and systematic analysis was conducted of 9 studies selected out of a total of 133 studies. The studies were collected by reviewing the scientific literature on interventions conducted in the human population aimed towards reducing salt consumption through label messaging. All of the information was obtained by direct consultation and by Internet from the scientific literature collected in several databases. RESULTS: Out of the 133 articles recovered, after the inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, 9 studies were selected for review. All of them took into account the ability of the study population to interpret and understand salt content labeling in foods. CONCLUSIONS: Food consumers understand and value easily recognizable logos more than the information found on nutritional composition labels. Therefore, use of alternative logos that facilitate this information and are also standardized could be justified. This situation is reinforced because the inclusion of symbols that are easily understandable favors the most adequate choice by consumers.

Intervenciones para reducir el consumo de sal a través del etiquetado: [revisión] / Interventions to reduce SALT consumption through labeling: [review]

Objective. Determine the extent to which labeling of food products informs about salt consumption. Methods. A critical and systematic analysis was conducted of 9 studies selected outof a total of 133 studies. The studies were collected by reviewing the scientific literature on interventions conducted in the human population aimed towards reducing salt consumption through label messaging. All of the information was obtained bydirect consultation and by Internet from the scientific literature collected in several databases. Results. Out of the 133 articles recovered, after the inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, 9 studies were selected for review. All of them took into account theability of the study population to interpret and understand salt content labeling in foods. Conclusions. Food consumers understand and value easily recognizable logos more than the information found on nutritional composition labels. Therefore, use ofalternative logos that facilitate this information and are also standardized could be justified. This situation is reinforced because the inclusion of symbols that are easily understandable favors the most adequate choice by consumers.

Objetivo. Determinar el grado en que el etiquetado de productos alimentarios informa acerca del consumo de sal.Métodos. Se realizó un análisis crítico y sistemático de 9 estudios —seleccionados de un total de 133— recogidos mediante revisión de la literatura científica sobre las intervenciones realizadas en población humana orientadas a reducir el consumo de sal a través de mensajes en el etiquetado. Toda la información se obtuvo mediante consulta directa y vía Internet a la literatura científica recogida en varias bases de datos.Resultados. De los 133 artículos recuperados, una vez aplicados los criterios de inclusión y exclusión, se seleccionaron para la revisión 9 trabajos: en todos ellos se planteaba a la población en estudio su conocimiento acerca de la interpretación de la etiqueta sobre el contenido de salde los alimentos. Conclusiones. Los consumidores de alimentos entienden y valoran más a los logotipos que ala composición nutricional que figura en la etiqueta. Se justificaría entonces el uso de logotipos alternativos que facilitaran esta información y que además fueran normalizados. Esta situación se ve reforzada porque la inclusión de símbolos fácilmente entendibles favorece la correcta elección por parte de los consumidores.

[Food labeling and the prevention of overweight and obesity: a systematic review]. / Etiquetado y rotulación de los alimentos en la prevención del sobrepeso y la obesidad: una revisión sistemática.

This article reports on a systematic review of articles on food labeling and the prevention of obesity and overweight, in the MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Knowledge, Cochrane Library Plus, Food Science and Technology Abstracts, LILACS, and CINAHL databases. The DeCS/MeSH descriptors were obesity and food labeling. 207 articles were retrieved. Using inclusion and exclusion criteria, 14 articles were selected: 11 were on food labeling and its impact on final food product consumption; 2 were on fast food establishments; 1 on sensory attributes as compared to health recommendations; and 2 on follow-up of interventions. Labeling has a positive effect on final food product consumption, in contrast with fast food restaurants. Sensory attributes were more effective than recommendations on the labels. Follow-up of interventions confirmed the long-term effect of the target interventions.

Etiquetado y rotulación de los alimentos en la prevención del sobrepeso y la obesidad: una revisión sistemática / Food labeling and the prevention of overweight and obesity: a systematic review

This article reports on a systematic review of articles on food labeling and the prevention of obesity and overweight, in the MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Knowledge, Cochrane Library Plus, Food Science and Technology Abstracts, LILACS, and CINAHL databases. The DeCS/MeSH descriptors were obesity and food labeling. 207 articles were retrieved. Using inclusion and exclusion criteria, 14 articles were selected: 11 were on food labeling and its impact on final food product consumption; 2 were on fast food establishments; 1 on sensory attributes as compared to health recommendations; and 2 on follow-up of interventions. Labeling has a positive effect on final food product consumption, in contrast with fast food restaurants. Sensory attributes were more effective than recommendations on the labels. Follow-up of interventions confirmed the long-term effect of the target interventions.

Revisión de los artículos sobre el etiquetado o la rotulación en la prevención de la obesidad y el sobrepeso. Estudio, mediante técnica sistemática, de los trabajos recuperados mediante revisión bibliográfica. Bases de datos consultadas: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Knowledge, Cochrane Library Plus, Food Science and Technology Abstracts, LILACS y CINAHL. Descriptores DeCS/MeSH: obesity y food labeling. 207 artículos recuperados, mediante los criterios de inclusión y exclusión, se seleccionaron 14: 11 sobre etiquetado y la rotulación en el consumo final del producto; 2 sobre establecimientos de comida rápida. Uno sobre atributos sensoriales en contraste con recomendaciones saludables y 2 realizaron un seguimiento de las intervenciones. El etiquetado y la rotulación tienen efecto positivo en el consumo final de los alimentos, suceso no observado en restaurantes de comida rápida. Los atributos sensoriales fueron más efectivos que las recomendaciones recogidas en el etiquetado. El seguimiento de las actuaciones confirmó el efecto a largo plazo de las intervenciones estudiadas.