Published in the Istanbul Gelisim University Journal of Health Sciences, the study evaluated the food label literacy of 403 adults aged 18–64. The findings revealed that only one in four participants had received prior nutrition education. Those with such a background demonstrated significantly greater accuracy in interpreting label content.
The results also highlighted that factors such as age, education level, and marital status were associated with label comprehension. Participants under the age of 35, with higher education, and who were single achieved higher scores. Moreover, those who reviewed labels both during and after purchasing scored better in overall literacy.
The most frequently examined label claims were “trans-fat-free,” “source of fiber,” and “vitamin–mineral content.” However, participants showed difficulty with understanding portion sizes, ranking ingredients, and calculating caloric content.
The study underlines that access to label information alone is not sufficient; being able to interpret it correctly requires an educational foundation. Targeted programs to improve label literacy, particularly for populations with lower educational attainment, are considered essential for promoting public health.
We congratulate the researchers for this valuable contribution.
📄 Access the article: https://doi.org/10.38079/igusabder.1645418
