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Sträuli B, Booth L, Laznik N, Pettigrew S. Type and prevalence of nutrition-related claims on alcoholic ready-to-drink beverages. Aust N Z J Public Health 2023; 47:100106. [PMID: 38040619 DOI: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2023.100106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the extent of nutrition-related claims on ready-to-drink (RTD) alcohol products to provide insights into the types and prevalence of claims across the category. METHODS Product type, alcohol content, and presence/type of nutrition-related claims (n=491) information was collected, March-May 2022. Chi-square analyses with pairwise z-tests were used to identify differences in claim prevalence by product type. Spearman's correlation was used to assess the relationship between alcohol content and number of claims. RESULTS Approximately half (52%) of RTDs displayed at least one claim, with the most common claims referring to naturalness (32%), sugar- (31%), and energy-content (32%). Hard seltzers displayed the most claims (96%, M=3.4 claims/product, SD=1.6). There was a moderate negative correlation between alcohol content and number of claims (r =-.43, p<.001). CONCLUSION Results show the extensive use of nutrition-related claims on RTDs in Australia, particularly for hard seltzers. IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH Nutrition-related claims have the potential to mislead consumers about the healthiness of alcohol products and more stringent regulation of nutrition-related claims is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Leon Booth
- The George Institute for Global Health, Australia; University of New South Wales, Sydney. https://twitter.com/@Leon_D_Booth
| | - Nadia Laznik
- The George Institute for Global Health, Australia
| | - Simone Pettigrew
- The George Institute for Global Health, Australia; University of New South Wales, Sydney. https://twitter.com/@SimonePettigrew
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Demers-Potvin É, Gaucher-Holm A, Hobin E, Provencher V, Niquette M, Bélanger-Gravel A, Vanderlee L. Nutrition cues on ready-to-drink alcoholic beverage containers sold in grocery stores in Québec City, Canada. Prev Med Rep 2023; 32:102164. [PMID: 36922961 PMCID: PMC10009295 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2023.102164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Nutrition cues on ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages (RTDs) may create an illusion of healthfulness; however, nutrition information on alcohol in Canada is seldom regulated. This research aimed to systematically record the use of nutrition cues on a subsample of RTDs sold in grocery stores. In July 2021, all available RTDs were purchased from three major grocery store banners in Québec City, Canada. Data regarding container size, purchase format, alcohol-by-volume (ABV), presence of nutrition cues (nutrient claims, other food-related claims and nutrition facts tables [NFTs]) and container surface occupied by nutrition cues were recorded. RTDs were classified as hard seltzers or pre-mixed cocktails and their ABV as "light-strength" (3.5%-4.0% ABV) and "regular-strength" (>4.0%-7.0% ABV). In total (n = 193), 23% were hard seltzers and 17% light-strength. Most RTDs (68%) had ≥1 type of nutrition cue, most often natural flavour claims (45%), an NFT (38%), and calorie claims (29%). Light-strength beverages were more likely than regular-strength to carry any nutrient claim (97% vs. 19%, p < 0.0001), an NFT (97% vs. 26%, p < 0.0001) and other food-related claims (e.g., natural flavour) (88% vs. 52%, p = 0.0002). In adjusted regression analyses, hard seltzers were more likely than pre-mixed cocktails to carry any nutrient claim (AOR = 19.1, 95% CI:7.5,48.7), any other food-related claim (AOR = 7.5, 95% CI:2.9,19.4), and an NFT (AOR = 45.5, 95% CI:12.6,163.9). The mean container surface occupied by nutrition cues was higher for hard seltzers compared to pre-mixed cocktails (13% vs 3%, p < 0.0001). The high proportion of RTDs carrying nutrition cues supports the need to further regulate labelling and marketing of RTDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Élisabeth Demers-Potvin
- Centre NUTRISS - Nutrition, santé et société, Institut sur la nutrition et les aliments fonctionnels (INAF), Université Laval, Québec, Canada.,École de nutrition, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Alexa Gaucher-Holm
- Centre NUTRISS - Nutrition, santé et société, Institut sur la nutrition et les aliments fonctionnels (INAF), Université Laval, Québec, Canada.,École de nutrition, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Erin Hobin
- Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Véronique Provencher
- Centre NUTRISS - Nutrition, santé et société, Institut sur la nutrition et les aliments fonctionnels (INAF), Université Laval, Québec, Canada.,École de nutrition, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Manon Niquette
- Centre NUTRISS - Nutrition, santé et société, Institut sur la nutrition et les aliments fonctionnels (INAF), Université Laval, Québec, Canada.,Département d'information et de communication, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Ariane Bélanger-Gravel
- Centre NUTRISS - Nutrition, santé et société, Institut sur la nutrition et les aliments fonctionnels (INAF), Université Laval, Québec, Canada.,Département d'information et de communication, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada.,Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec (IUCPQ), Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Lana Vanderlee
- Centre NUTRISS - Nutrition, santé et société, Institut sur la nutrition et les aliments fonctionnels (INAF), Université Laval, Québec, Canada.,École de nutrition, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
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Cao S, Tang C, Carboon I, Hayward C, Capes H, Chen YJM, Brennan E, Dixon H, Wakefield M, Haynes A. The health halo effect of 'low sugar' and related claims on alcoholic drinks: an online experiment with young women. Alcohol Alcohol 2023; 58:93-99. [PMID: 36274258 DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agac054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS To investigate whether 'low sugar' and related claims influence consumers' perceptions of the healthiness or other attributes of alcoholic drinks, promote greater consumption or impact diet and activity behaviour intentions. METHOD N = 501 Australian women aged 18-35 viewed and rated six images of alcoholic drinks in a randomized online experiment with a 2 (claim: low sugar claim, no claim control) × 2 (drink type: cider, ready-to-drink spirits) between-subjects design. RESULTS Participants who viewed drinks with low sugar claims rated them as healthier, less harmful to health, lower in sugar and kilojoules, and more suitable for weight management and a healthy diet than participants who viewed identical drinks with no claim (P < 0.001-P = 0.002). Drinks with low sugar claims were also perceived as being lower in alcohol (P < 0.001) despite being of equivalent alcohol content. There were no significant differences in anticipated social approval associated with consumption or in hypothetical intended consumption of the drinks, but participants who viewed drinks with low sugar claims were less likely to indicate they would compensate for consumption of the drink by modifying food intake or physical activity (P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Low sugar and related claims on alcoholic drinks can generate a health halo: consumers generalise from a specific favourable attribute (low sugar) to misperceive other favourable health- and nutrition-related attributes, including lower alcohol content. Findings support calls to reconsider the permissibility of low sugar claims on alcoholic drinks as they may mislead consumers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyan Cao
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Parkville, 3010, VIC, Australia
| | - Changyuan Tang
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Parkville, 3010, VIC, Australia
| | - Isla Carboon
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Parkville, 3010, VIC, Australia
| | - Cassie Hayward
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Parkville, 3010, VIC, Australia.,Empirica Research, 162 Collins Street, Melbourne, 3000, VIC, Australia
| | - Hannah Capes
- Empirica Research, 162 Collins Street, Melbourne, 3000, VIC, Australia
| | - Yan Jun Michelle Chen
- Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer, Cancer Council Victoria, 615 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, 3004, VIC, Australia
| | - Emily Brennan
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Parkville, 3010, VIC, Australia.,Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer, Cancer Council Victoria, 615 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, 3004, VIC, Australia
| | - Helen Dixon
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Parkville, 3010, VIC, Australia.,Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer, Cancer Council Victoria, 615 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, 3004, VIC, Australia
| | - Melanie Wakefield
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Parkville, 3010, VIC, Australia.,Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer, Cancer Council Victoria, 615 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, 3004, VIC, Australia
| | - Ashleigh Haynes
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Parkville, 3010, VIC, Australia.,Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer, Cancer Council Victoria, 615 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, 3004, VIC, Australia
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Does Supplementary Information Add Value to Functional Food? Evidence from a Choice Experiment in China. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14204424. [PMID: 36297108 PMCID: PMC9606922 DOI: 10.3390/nu14204424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Establishing an effective choice architecture system enables people to improve their ability to make better food choices and encourage transformation of the food system into one that is more efficient, healthy, and sustainable. However, affecting consumer preferences by improving information supply is still a crucial issue that has not been comprehensively explored in China and many developing countries. This study aimed to identify the most effective information treatment method for increasing the likelihood of purchase and willingness to pay (WTP) for nutritionally enhanced eggs. A survey with five information treatments and a choice experiment was completed by a random sample of 2379 Chinese consumers, and the mixed logit model was subsequently applied to interpret the results. It was found that when nutritional information (NI), health benefit information (HBI), and/or market status quo information (MSQ) was presented to consumers, their utility increased. Different schemes had different effects on participants' WTP. The HBI from scientific research institution, provided in the form of leaflets, has the most significant effect on improving WTP, increasing the WTP of consumers by 31.65%. WTP for functional eggs increased similarly in response to NI and MSQ information. However, adding NI to HBI did not significantly increase the value of functional eggs, especially when the information was presented to the interviewees in the form of short videos. This research broadens the present knowledge and application of an information communication strategy by suggesting that the combination of information content, carriers, source influence consumer preference and WTP for nutritionally enhanced eggs. The results have implications for the communication practices of food enterprises to optimize their marketing strategies and improve product innovation to add more value to the functional food.
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Robinson E, Boyland E, Evans R, Finlay A, Halsall L, Humphreys G, Langfield T, McFarland‐Lesser I, Patel Z, Jones A. Energy labelling of alcoholic drinks: An important or inconsequential obesity policy? Obes Sci Pract 2022; 9:75-86. [PMID: 37034571 PMCID: PMC10073822 DOI: 10.1002/osp4.638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Alcohol is calorie dense, but unlike food products, alcoholic drinks tend to be exempt from nutritional labelling laws that require energy content information to be displayed on packaging or at point of purchase. This review provides a perspective on the likely efficacy of alcoholic drink energy labelling as a public health policy to reduce obesity and discusses key questions to be addressed by future research. First, the contribution that alcohol makes to population level daily energy intake and obesity is outlined. Next, consumer need for alcohol energy labelling and the potential impacts on both consumer and industry behavior are discussed. Pathways and mechanisms by which energy labelling of alcoholic drinks could reduce obesity are considered, as well as possible unintended consequences of alcoholic drink energy labelling. Would widespread energy labelling of alcoholic drinks reduce obesity? The unclear effect that alcohol has on population level obesity, the modest contribution calories from alcohol make to daily energy intake and limited impact nutritional labelling policies tend to have on behavior, suggest alcohol energy labelling may have limited impact on population obesity prevalence as a standalone policy. However, there are a number of questions that will need to be answered by future research to make definitive conclusions on the potential for alcohol energy labelling policies to reduce obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Robinson
- Department of Psychology Eleanor Rathbone Building, University of Liverpool LiverpoolL69 7ZA UK
| | - Emma Boyland
- Department of Psychology Eleanor Rathbone Building, University of Liverpool LiverpoolL69 7ZA UK
| | - Rebecca Evans
- Department of Psychology Eleanor Rathbone Building, University of Liverpool LiverpoolL69 7ZA UK
| | - Amy Finlay
- Department of Psychology Eleanor Rathbone Building, University of Liverpool LiverpoolL69 7ZA UK
| | - Lauren Halsall
- Department of Psychology Eleanor Rathbone Building, University of Liverpool LiverpoolL69 7ZA UK
| | - Gabrielle Humphreys
- Department of Psychology Eleanor Rathbone Building, University of Liverpool LiverpoolL69 7ZA UK
| | - Tess Langfield
- Department of Psychology Eleanor Rathbone Building, University of Liverpool LiverpoolL69 7ZA UK
| | - India McFarland‐Lesser
- Department of Psychology Eleanor Rathbone Building, University of Liverpool LiverpoolL69 7ZA UK
| | - Zina Patel
- Department of Psychology Eleanor Rathbone Building, University of Liverpool LiverpoolL69 7ZA UK
| | - Andrew Jones
- Department of Psychology Eleanor Rathbone Building, University of Liverpool LiverpoolL69 7ZA UK
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