Trends in food label use associated with new nutrition labeling regulations.
OBJECTIVE
This study compared use of food labels before and after implementation of new Food and Drug Administration regulations in 1994.


METHODS
Data were obtained by random-digit-dial surveys of Washington State residents in 1993 (n = 1001) and 1996 (n = 1450).


RESULTS
After implementation of the new regulations, usual label use increased significantly, by 8.5 percentage points in women and 11.3 percentage points in men. More respondents looked for information on fat content and fewer failed to use labels because they "take too much time" or "are too hard to understand.


CONCLUSIONS
Use of food labels and satisfaction with their content have increased, but 70% of adults still want labels to be easier to understand.
Cancer Prevention Research Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109-1024, USA.
A R
AR
Kristal
L
L
Levy
R E
RE
Patterson
S S
SS
Li
E
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White
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005515:Food Labeling / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000639:trends; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education*; D014861:Washington