IMPACT OF NUTRITIONAL LABELING ON THE BEHAVIOR OF CONSUMERS OF THE IV REGION, CHILE

Abstract

Impact of nutritional labeling on the behavior of consumers of the IV Region, Chile This study analyzes the impact of the implementation of the nutritional labeling system in processed foods from the consumer perspective, in the IV Region of Chile.The new nutritional labeling that, since June 2016, in a compulsory manner and accordance with Law No. 20,606 incorporates the octagonal seal on the front of packaged foods that exceed the regulated limits, is a fairly recent public policy and of the which there are no studies in the area regarding the result it has had and whether it has fulfilled the purpose for which it was issued. Based on this misinformation, the main objective was describing the possible changes that the new labeling has induced in consumers’ purchasing decisions. The information to be obtained is to determine the level of understanding of the population regarding nutrition labeling, evaluating the knowledge that consumers have regarding the seal, how they interpret this warning sign and finally how this information affects their purchase decision. To do this, 400 random surveys were carried out. The results obtained indicate that the pattern of food consumption or eating habits is not changing, that is, the nutritional labeling has little influence on the purchase decision of consumers.