Trends in food label use associated with new nutrition labeling regulations.

Abstract

This study compared use of food labels before and after implementation of new Food and Drug Administration regulations in 1994. Data were obtained by random-digit-dial surveys of Washington State residents in 1993 (n = 1001) and 1996 (n = 1450). After implementation of the new regulations, usual label use increased significantly, by 8.5 percentage points in women and 11.3 percentage points in men. More respondents looked for information on fat content and fewer failed to use labels because they "take too much time" or "are too hard to understand. Use of food labels and satisfaction with their content have increased, but 70% of adults still want labels to be easier to understand.