Sunelle A Jacobs|Hanli de Beer|Ment Larney
Adult consumers’ understanding and use of information on food labels: a study among consumers living in the Potchefstroom and Klerksdorp regions, South Africa
North-West University|North-West University|North-West University
identify information adult consumers use food labels difficulties experience using food labels reasons always using food labels relationship understanding information food label ability make informed food choices also investigated means required perform labelling tasksa crosssectional descriptive research approach followed data collected means administration questionnairesselected supermarkets potchefstroom klerksdorp north west province south africaquestionnaires administered 174 consumers african descent caucasians 18 years age involved purchasing household food productsthe information mostly used food labels includes expiry date list ingredients nutritional information fat cholesterol content difficulties associated food labels indicated mainly font size print whereas reasons reading food labels related product attributes taste price important nutritional content food product demographic characteristics lack education nutritional knowledge situational factors experiencing time constraintsresults present study indicated expiry date important information food label used consumers scores labelling tasks showed respondents always understand use information food labels order make informed food choices barriers consumer understanding use food labels highlighted improvements current food labels south africa suggested guidelines consumer education regarding use food labels also provided