WHO USES NUTRITION LABELING, AND WHAT EFFECTS DOES LABEL USE HAVE ON DIET QUALITY

Information on the characteristics of individuals using nutrition labeling and the effects of label use on diet quality can be used to guide the development of more effective consumer education programs. For this study, data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) 1989 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals (CSFII) and Diet and Health Knowledge Survey (DHKS) were used to identify socioeconomic, demographic, and health-related characteristics and the nutrition-related knowledge and attitudes that were associated with label use. This analysis employed a theoretical model of determinants of label use that was based on an economic model of information search. Characteristics found to be positively associated with the likelihood of using nutrition labeling were having at least some college education, being female, living with others rather than living alone, being more knowledgeable about nutrition, believing that following the principles of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans is important, and being more concerned about nutrition and product safety and less about taste when shopping for food. Having identified the characteristics of label users, this information was used in a model of nutrient consumption that was based on consumer demand theory. A selectivity analysis was employed to correct for potential self-selection bias on label use. Label use appeared to be associated with the consumption of diets that were higher in vitamin C and lower in cholesterol. However, label use in 1989 did not significantly influence the intake of 24 other food components investigated.