Perception and Use of Food Label Information among the Students of Sirindhorn College of Public Health, Chonburi Province

Abstract

Objective: To examine perception and use of food label information amongstudents of Sirindhorn College of Public Health, Chonburi province.Method: This cross-sectional descriptive study collected data from 199students drawn through stratified and systematic sampling technique. Thequestionnaire consisted of questions 1) asking about information in foodlabel (29 items), specifically 1.1) perceived interest in food label and 1.2)understanding in food label information, and 2) the use of food labelinformation (8 items). The questionnaire had acceptable to high reliability(Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of 0.77 – 0.83). Descriptive statistics wereused in data analysis. Results: Participants had moderate level ofperceived interests, perceived understanding and the use of food labelinformation. Information types with high level of perceived interests includedexpiration date, price, and Thai FDA serial number (82.9%, 63.8%, and56.3%, respectively). Nutrition label information that interested participantswith moderate level included serving size, nutritional fact, and serving percontainer (44.7%, 44.2% and 43.7%, respectively). The most correctlyanswered question was “the consumer should consume food productsbefore the expiration date” (98.0%), while the one with the most incorrectanswer was “all of the food products must show the nutrition labels”(97.0%). Expiration date and Thai FDA serial number were the informationused every time to select food products (58.3% and 51.8%, respectively);while monosodium glutamate content (58.3%) and sugar content comparedwith the recommended daily amount (46.2%) were the two most informationtypes rarely used. Conclusion: Participants had moderate level on bothperception and overall use of food label information. High level ofunderstanding on nutritional labels was in a low proportion. Students shouldbe taught and encouraged to use food label information in their daily life.Keywords: perception, use of information, food label, nutritional label