Food nutrition labels impact retail pricing, consumer purchasing

ATHENS — The Nutrition Facts labels on the back of packaged food help consumers by breaking down the ingredients and nutritional value of the product. That information is supposed to help consumers make informed food choices. But do these labels provide a complete picture of what “healthy” really means? And does the way information is provided on food labels change consumers’ perceptions and purchasing behavior?

To answer these questions, Chen Zhen, a University of Georgia professor in food choice, obesity and health in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, is leading a study recently funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture. In partnership with international colleagues, Zhen will observe and compare the influence of nutrition labeling systems used in the U.S. and the European Union to inform future policy decisions in those countries.