Front-of-package nutrition labeling (FoPNL) has been gaining prominence as a strategy to reduce the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages as it helps consumers to clearly identify products with excess sugars. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the Brazilian and Mexican FoPNL systems on simulated purchases of non-alcoholic beverages by adolescents in a fictitious online store. A total of 437 Brazilian adolescents (15 to 18 years old) participated in the study and were randomized into three experimental groups: control (online store with products displayed without FoPNL), Mexican FoPNL system (products with “excess in” octagonal black warning labels based on the Mexican nutritional profile), and Brazilian FoPNL system (products with “high in” magnifying glass icons following the Brazilian nutritional profile). FoPNL systems have been applied in accordance with the legislation of each country. Participants selected a non-alcoholic beverage to be purchased from 30 options in the experimental online store. After completing the simulated purchase, they responded to questionnaires regarding their perceptions of healthfulness, harmfulness, and excess nutrient content of the beverages, as well as their socioeconomic status. Compared to the control, the Mexican FoPNL system significantly reduced the prevalence of adolescents choosing beverages in the highest tertile of free sugar density (PR: 0.74, 95 %CI: 0.58 – 0.94), added sugar density (PR: 0.76, 95 %CI: 0.57 – 0.99), and energy density (PR: 0.75, 95 %CI: 0.58 – 0.96). Participants in the Mexican FoPNL system group selected beverages containing 11.5 %, 10.3 %, and 7.7 % less free sugars, added sugars, and energy density, respectively, compared to the control group. Regarding total quantities, the Mexican FoPNL system led to the choice of beverages with 5.3 %, 5.0 % and 3.7 % less free sugars, added sugars, and energy, respectively, than those in the control group. The Brazilian FoPNL system resulted in a 2.3 % reduction in the calories purchased compared to the control group but was ineffective in changing the amount of free and added sugars in the simulated purchases. Additionally, the Mexican FoPNL system increased the odds and the prevalence of participants perceiving sweetened beverages as harmful to health by 82 % and 30 %, respectively, compared to the control. In conclusion, the Brazilian FoPNL system was ineffective in reducing the simulated purchase quantities and densities of free sugars, added sugars, and energy. In contrast, the Mexican FoPNL system was effective, outperforming the Brazilian system by reducing the prevalence of participants choosing beverages in the highest tertiles of free sugar density, added sugar density, and energy density, and by increasing the odds and prevalence of adolescents recognizing sweetened beverages as harmful to health.

Food Research International Available online 2 January 2025, 115539

This work aims to carry out an analysis, from the geography of food or nutrition, about the application of the Law for the Promotion of Healthy Eating in Argentina. This law is well known as “front labeling” but beyond the labeling of food, it covers a broader panorama to bring the right to health and food closer to the population. The geography of food, for many authors, includes a perspective of food from the multiple branches of geography: economic, health, environmental, physical and cultural. Therefore, following this line, it is presented how the law has impacted people’s interest and disinterest in the consumption of packaged foods, as it has influenced the food industry (based on a market study focused on new products that companies offer “without seals”) and what are the points that still need to be taken up to guarantee food security, and the food safety of the population in terms of food and nutritional education. The situation in Quilmes (Province of Buenos Aires) was analyzed regarding the products presented in supermarkets and warehouses to know the changes in the marketing of food within the district and to carry out an analysis of the educational needs in relation to the law. To do this, an exploratory approach was started from the cultural geography of food. The results show industries have begun a process of reformulation and product development to reduce the number of stamps and legends. Finally, it is still necessary to evaluate and raise awareness about the risks related to the food safety of unpackaged products.