Does point-of-purchase nutrition labeling influence meal selections? A test in an Army cafeteria.
OBJECTIVE
This study assessed the effectiveness of nutrition labeling on sales of targeted entrees and measured the perceived influence that factors such as taste, quality, appearance, fat content, calorie content, and price had on meal selection behavior within an Army cafeteria.


METHODS
A quasi-experimental design was used to compare targeted entrée sales between a 1-year baseline period and two 30-day postintervention periods, after the placement of entrée nutrition labels. A brief questionnaire, distributed to 149 patrons, measured the perceived influence of the aforementioned factors on selections.


RESULTS
Analysis of variance detected no significant differences in sales between baseline and the two intervention periods; the factors of taste and quality were rated most influential to meal selection (p < 0.000).


CONCLUSIONS
A marketing campaign focusing on the health attributes of targeted entrée items was not successful in boosting sales. Sensory attributes (i.e., taste, quality, and appearance) appear to be more influential to meal selection.
Sproul
Allen D
AD
81 Medical Support Squadron/SGSD, Keesler AFB, MS 39534-2519, USA.
Canter
Deborah D
DD
Schmidt
Jeffrey B
JB
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003132:Commerce / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003657:Decision Making; D004041:Dietary Fats; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D005515:Food Labeling / Q000592:standards*; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000523:psychology*; D005522:Food Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008887:Military Medicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D009753:Nutritive Value; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013649:Taste; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D004041:Dietary Fats