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Aware Food Choices: Bridging the Gap Between Consumer Knowledge About Nutritional Requirements and Nutritional Information pp 79–91Cite as

The Evolution of Nutrition Information

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Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs in Food, Health, and Nutrition ((BRIEFSFOOD))

Abstract

The use of labelling helps to reduce information asymmetries between producers and customers. Indeed, it supports consumers in the process of detecting and evaluating qualitative product features, with particular regard to intrinsic or indirect features such as flavour, which cannot be assessed before purchasing or consumption. The utility of this information in product choices varies according to consumer mood at the time of purchasing, but it is also affected by subjective processes, habits and motivations. Moreover, it is also important to understand how consumers perceive and interpret the information indicated on labels. In the context of nutrition labelling, given its relevance to consumer diet composition, worldwide legislators have introduced specific formats on nutrition labelling with time, to support a correct understanding of nutrition information by consumers. Following the presentation on the evolution of nutrition labelling with EU regulations and other formats applied in the USA, as well as those used in other main countries, the chapter discusses both resolved issues and issues that still exist in the present system of nutrition labelling.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Art. 2, c. 2, Directive 90/496/EEC.

  2. 2.

    Art. 1, c. 4, point (b), Directive 90/496/EEC.

  3. 3.

    Art. 6 Directive 90/496/ECC.

  4. 4.

    Art. 4, c. 2, Directive 90/496/EEC.

  5. 5.

    Art. 4, c. 3, Directive 90/496/EEC.

  6. 6.

    Art. 6, c. 1, Directive 90/496/EEC.

  7. 7.

    Art. 6, c. 2, Directive 90/496/EEC.

  8. 8.

    According to conversion factors reported in the art. 5, c. 1, Directive 90/496/EEC.

  9. 9.

    Art. 1, c. 4c, Directive 90/496/EEC.

  10. 10.

    Art. 4, c. 4 s paragraph, Directive 90/496/EEC.

  11. 11.

    Art. 6, c. 8, Directive 90/496/EEC.

  12. 12.

    Art. 34, par. 2, states that mandatory information defined according to art. 30, paragraphs 1 and 2, can be shown in line if the space on the product does not allow to include a table.

  13. 13.

    Art. 29, Regulation (EU) 2011/1169.

  14. 14.

    Art. 30, par. 1, Regulation (EU) 2011/1169.

  15. 15.

    Art. 34, par. 5, Regulation (EU) 2011/1169.

  16. 16.

    Art. 30, par. 2, Regulation (EU) 2011/1169.

  17. 17.

    Art. 30, par. 5, Regulation (EU) 2011/1169.

  18. 18.

    Art. 30, par. 4, Regulation (EU) 2011/1169.

  19. 19.

    Art. 32, par. 2, Regulation (EU) 2011/1169.

  20. 20.

    Art. 32, paragraphs 4 and 5, Regulation (EU) 2011/1169.

  21. 21.

    As shown on the web page of FDA: Proposed Changes to the Nutrition Facts Label. Available at http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocumentsRegulatoryInformation/LabelingNutrition/ucm385663.htm#images, retrieved in April 2015.

  22. 22.

    Regulation 21 CFR 101.12 (b). Available at: http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=034fa7326cb07ed8d176f45427bbcc65&mc=true&node=se21.2.101_112&rgn=div8, retrieved in May 2015.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy

    Angela Tarabella & Barbara Burchi

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  1. Angela Tarabella
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  2. Barbara Burchi
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Correspondence to Angela Tarabella .

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Tarabella, A., Burchi, B. (2016). The Evolution of Nutrition Information. In: Aware Food Choices: Bridging the Gap Between Consumer Knowledge About Nutritional Requirements and Nutritional Information. SpringerBriefs in Food, Health, and Nutrition. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-23856-2_6

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