Testing Front-of-Package Labels on Packaged Food for Adult & Adolescent Population in Bangladesh
A national randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the impact of four front-of-package labeling (FOPL) systems—Warning Labels (WL), Multiple Traffic Light (MTL), Health Star Rating (HSR), and Guideline Daily Allowance (GDA)—on consumer perceptions and purchase intentions in Bangladesh.
Detailed Research Narrative
2 min read · Academic journal format
📌 Background & Rationale
The rising consumption of processed and ultra-processed foods in Bangladesh, driven by urbanization, economic growth, and lifestyle changes, has contributed to increased risk of overweight, obesity, and non-communicable diseases. Traditional nutrition labels are often overlooked by consumers, highlighting the need for a simpler, more visible system to identify unhealthy foods. Front-of-package labels (FOPLs) are recommended by the WHO as an effective tool to inform consumers and guide healthier choices at the point of purchase. While Warning Labels (WL) have shown strong impact globally, there is limited country-specific evidence on other interpretive FOPLs like Multiple Traffic Light (MTL), Health Star Rating (HSR), and Guideline Daily Allowance (GDA) in Bangladesh. This study conducted a randomized controlled trial to evaluate which FOPL type is most effective in helping Bangladeshi adults and adolescents identify unhealthy foods and influence their purchase intentions.
🔬 Methodology
This study employed a multi-arm, cluster-randomized experimental design to evaluate the impact of different front-of-pack labels (FOPLs) on consumer understanding, perceptions, and purchase intentions of packaged foods. Participants were randomized to one of five study arms: barcode (control), Health Star Rating (HSR), warning label (WL), Guideline Daily Allowance (GDA), or Multiple Traffic Light label (MTL).
📊 Key Findings
The study found that all four FOPL interventions significantly improved participants' ability to identify nutrients of concern, including salt, sugar, and saturated fat, compared to the control (p<0.001), with Warning Labels (WL) being the most effective, followed by Multiple Traffic Light (MTL) labels. Overall purchase intention for unhealthy products decreased across the WL, GDA, and MTL arms, with WL most strongly reducing adults' intention to buy. WLs were most effective at discouraging consumption, GDA was best at conveying information about high nutrient content, and MTL was rated the easiest to understand.
📋 Policy Implications
Mandatory adoption of interpretive FOPLs, particularly WLs, can play a critical role in reducing the purchase of unhealthy foods and contribute to combating the rising burden of NCDs in Bangladesh. FOPLs have the potential to promote equity in public health, as they are effective across different age, education, gender, and residence groups. Introduction of mandatory FOPLs may also incentivize the food industry to reformulate products, decreasing unhealthy levels of sodium, sugar, and saturated fat.