TY - JOUR T1 - Examination of front-of-packaged (FOP) labelling systems and nutrition-health statements on packaged foods in Türkiye AU - İçyer, Necattin Cihat AU - Doğan, Hicran PY - 2024 DA - July Y2 - 2024 DO - 10.3153/FH24019 JF - Food and Health JO - Food Health PB - Özkan ÖZDEN WT - DergiPark SN - 2602-2834 SP - 198 EP - 207 VL - 10 IS - 3 LA - en AB - There is a growing trend worldwide towards greater awareness of food labelling systems in the fight against global challenges such as unhealthy nutrition and obesity. Nearly 30 governments have approved various front-of-package (FOP) labelling systems, and many countries plan to adopt them. However, since there is no legal regulation regarding FOP labelling systems in Türkiye, nutrition and health-related statements appear on many packaged food products. Although these statements enable consumers to make healthy food choices, they also have the potential to mislead consumers by supporting the perception that foods lacking essential nutritional components or containing potentially harmful substances are healthy. This study examined FOP labelling systems used worldwide, and nutrition and health-related statements on the front of 1336 packaged foods in 6 categories in Türkiye were analysed. Although it varies in each category, the most common expressions are generally recommended daily amount (%14.5), fat (%16), sugar (%9.9), vitamin-mineral (%5.1), and protein (%9.4). Additionally, salt (%0,9), vegan (%2), additive (%11.6) and fibre content (%6.8) information is also commonly declared. As a result, the implementation of effective labeling regulations in Turkey can enhance public health and mitigate the adverse effects of unhealthy nutrition on society. KW - Food security KW - Food labelling KW - Front of the package (FOP) KW - Nutrition and health CR - An, R., Shi, Y., Shen, J., Bullard, T., Liu, G., Yang, Q., Chen, N., & Cao, L. (2021). Effect of front-of-package nutrition labeling on food purchases: a systematic review. Public Health, 191, 59–67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2020.06.035 CR - Batista, M.F., de Carvalho-Ferreira, J.P., Thimoteo da Cunha, D., & De Rosso, V.V. (2023). Front-of-package nutrition labeling as a driver for healthier food choices: Lessons learned and future perspectives. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, 22(1), 535–586. https://doi.org/10.1111/1541-4337.13085 CR - Bayram, H.M., & Ozturkcan, S.A. (2022). The multiple ‘traffic light’ labels: Are they a promising alternative for packaged foods and beverages sold in Turkey. International Journal of Health Promotion and Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/14635240.2022.2079547 CR - Bryła, P. (2020). Who Reads Food Labels? Selected Predictors of Consumer Interest in Front-of-Package and Back-of-Package Labels during and after the Purchase. Nutrients, 12(9), 2605. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12092605 Carruba, M.O., Caretto, A., De Lorenzo, A., Fatati, G., Ghiselli, A., Lucchin, L., Maffeis, C., Malavazos, A., Malfi, G., Riva, E., Ruocco, C., Santini, F., Silano, M., Valerio, A., Vania, A., & Nisoli, E. (2022). Front-of-pack (FOP) labelling systems to improve the quality of nutrition information to prevent obesity: NutrInform Battery vs Nutri-Score. Eating and Weight Disorders, 27(5), 1575–1584. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-021-01316-z CR - de Boer, A., & Bast, A. (2015). International legislation on nutrition and health claims. Food Policy, 55, 61–70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2015.06.002 CR - Kanter, R., Reyes, M., & Corvalań, C. (2017). Photographic methods for measuring packaged food and beverage products in supermarkets. Current Developments in Nutrition, 1(10), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.3945/cdn.117.001016 CR - Kanter, R., Vanderlee, L., & Vandevijvere, S. (2018). Front-of-package nutrition labelling policy: Global progress and future directions. Public Health Nutrition, 21(8), 1399–1408. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980018000010 CR - Muzzioli, L., Penzavecchia, C., Donini, L.M., & Pinto, A. (2022). Are front-of-pack labels a health policy tool? Nutrients, 14(4), 771. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14040771 CR - Ndanuko, R., Maganja, D., Kibet, A., Coyle, D.H., Kimiywe, J., Raubenheimer, D., Marklund, M., & Wu, J.H.Y. (2021). Sodium content and labelling completeness of packaged foods and beverages in Kenya. Nutrients, 13(4), 1385. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13041385 CR - Ricardo, C.Z., Peroseni, I. M., Mais, L.A., Martins, A.P. B., & Duran, A.C. (2019). Trans fat labeling information on Brazilian packaged foods. Nutrients, 11(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11092130 CR - Singh, A.K., Ramakanth, D., Kumar, A., Lee, Y.S., & Gaikwad, K.K. (2021). Active packaging technologies for clean label food products: a review. Journal of Food Measurement and Characterization, 15(5), 4314–4324. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11694-021-01024-3 CR - Sousa, I.C., Mucinhato, R.M.D., Prates, C.B., Zanin, L.M., da Cunha, D.T., Capriles, V.D., de Rosso, V.V., & Stedefeldt, E. (2023). Do Brazilian consumers intend to use food labels to make healthy food choices? An assessment before the front-of-package labelling policy. Food Research International, 172, 113107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2023.113107 CR - Temple, N.J. (2020). Front-of-package food labels: A narrative review. Appetite, 144, 104485. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2019.104485 UR - https://doi.org/10.3153/FH24019 L1 - https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/3795176 ER -