Role of Traffic Light Labeling on Point of Purchase Behaviors: A Systematic Review

Arezoo  Haghighian-Roudsari; Nazli  Namazi; Pardis  Irandoost; Fatemeh  Mohammadi Nasarabadi; Mohammad  Naemi Kermanshahi; Maryam  Mohammadi Nasarabadi; Zahra  Shahveghar; Mahdiyeh  Khabbaz; Azizollaah  Zargaraan; Ali  Milani-Bonab; Samira  Pourmoradian

doi:10.18502/jnfs.v7i3.10206

Arezoo Haghighian-Roudsari Department of Community Nutrition, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, School of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Nazli Namazi Diabetes Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Pardis Irandoost Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Fatemeh Mohammadi Nasarabadi Department of Food and Nutrition Policy and Planning Research, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Mohammad Naemi Kermanshahi Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
Maryam Mohammadi Nasarabadi Department of Education and Promotion, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, School of Public Health, Tehran, Iran.
Zahra Shahveghar Department of Biochemistry and Dietetics, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
Mahdiyeh Khabbaz Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
Azizollaah Zargaraan Department of Food and Nutrition Policy and Planning Research, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Ali Milani-Bonab Department of Food and Nutrition Policy and Planning Research, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Samira Pourmoradian Nutrition Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jnfs.v7i3.10206

Keywords: Food Labeling; Consumer’s behavior; Choice behavior

Abstract

Background: Traffic Light Labeling (TLL) system is a simple tool to communicate information regarding the nutrients content of food products and has been widely applied to promote public health. However, evidence on the effectiveness of the TLL system on consumers’ choices is conflicting. The present study aims to systematically summarize the effects of TLL on consumers’ point of purchase behaviors.

Methods: Five electronic databases, including PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of knowledge, the Cochrane library, and Science direct were searched from 2000/01/01 to 2021/11/01. Randomized-controlled trials, in English or Farsi languages, investigating the effects of TLL on choosing healthier foodstuffs or beverages were examined for eligibility and included in the review. Of 6408 potentially relevant publications (including 1255 duplicates), five clinical trials were finally included in the study.

Results: The duration of the interventions ranged from 4 to 12 weeks and all studies except one had high methodological quality. Out of 5, three clinical trials did not show positive effects of TLL on customers' choices to purchase healthier food products.

Conclusions: The present review showed that TLL without other public health-promoting interventions may have no substantial effects on consumer’s food choice.