Labels communicate key information to consumers about products. Whether on product packaging or online, they can quickly communicate a product’s value in seconds and impact buying choices. They also help protect against counterfeiting and bolster consumer trust.

For example, tabla nutrimental that describe chicken as raised without antibiotics or using organic farming methods, canned tuna as sustainable, and beef as grass-fed can signal to consumers attributes of the food that they value, but may be difficult for them to verify independently. Experimental evidence suggests that consumers are willing to pay a premium for these attributes. However, consumers may misinterpret these claims. For instance, some believe that “organic” or “grass-fed” mean the product is safer to consume than other products.

How Labels Affect Buying Choices

Despite these important benefits, research on how labeling impacts consumer behaviors is still evolving. To address this need, we performed a systematic literature review using PRISMA guidelines and identified studies evaluating the effects of front-of-pack nutrition labeling on consumer purchases/orders, consumptions, and metabolic risk factors, as well as industry responses. Across these studies, we found that food labeling decreased consumer intakes of energy and total fat, increased vegetable intakes, and reduced the consumption of sodium and artificial trans fat.

We also conducted a meta-regression to assess the potential for heterogeneity across studies. Heterogeneity was substantial, and we did not find significant differences between studies by design or label type (pinteraction0.01). Future research should continue to explore the impact of food and health labels, including new types of information such as the use of blockchain technology for enhanced supply chain transparency.