Awareness of consumers about nutritional labelling

A study was conducted in Shivamogga district of Karnataka state which included 200 respondents from four different professions viz lawyers, businessmen, teachers and housewives, 50 in each group, to obtain relevant information such as buying behaviour of consumers, consumers’ awareness about nutrition information and health claims disclosed on the food label. Higher number of teachers (90%) was more concerned about MRP of the product followed by housewives (88%), lawyers and businessman (84% each). All consumers checked the date of manufacturing and expiry of the product. A higher number of lawyers (90%), housewives (96%) and businessmen (92%) acquired information through internet whereas a higher number of teachers (96%) acquired information through newspapers. High number of teachers, businessmen, housewives and lawyers were reading nutrient information viz sugar, total calories/energy and fat. More businessmen read cholesterol information on food label. Protein, vitamins and minerals, fibre and sodium content on food label was read by higher number of teachers. Majority of housewives (92%) was utilising nutrition information on all circumstances followed by teachers (84%), businessmen (76%) and lawyers (50%). All housewives saw nutrition information while buying a new product. More than 80 per cent of teachers, lawyers and housewives read nutrition information when buying a new version of existing product. However only 67 per cent of businessmen did so.