title: Consumer knowledge and attitudes toward nutritional labels.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine Mauritian consumers' attitudes toward nutritional labels based on the Kano model and to identify determinants of the use and understanding of nutrition labels.
  
  
  METHODS
  The researchers also used a Kano model questionnaire to determine consumers' attitudes toward nutrition labeling.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four hundred consumers residing in Mauritius.
  
  
  METHODS
  Information was elicited via a questionnaire that assessed nutritional knowledge and information about the use and understanding of nutritional labels and demographic factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nutritional label use and understanding, nutrition knowledge, and association of demographic factors with label use.
  
  
  METHODS
  Statistical tests performed included 1-way ANOVA and independent samples t tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistically significant relationships (P < .05) were found for nutritional knowledge and nutritional label usage with demographic factors. All demographic factors with the exception of gender were significantly associated (P < .05) with nutritional label understanding. Based on the outcome of the Kano survey, calorie content, trans fat content, protein content, and cholesterol content were found to be must-be attributes: that is, attributes that, when not present, result in consumer dissatisfaction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Age, education, income, household size, and nutrition knowledge had an impact on nutritional label use. Health promoters should aim to increase the use of nutritional labels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Mauritius, Reduit, Mauritius.
authors.forename: Komeela
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cannoosamy
authors.affiliation: Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Science, University of Mauritius, Reduit, Mauritius.
authors.forename: Prity
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pugo-Gunsam
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Mauritius, Reduit, Mauritius. Electronic address: r.jeewon@uom.ac.mu.
authors.forename: Rajesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jeewon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000349:Africa; D017677:Age Distribution; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005260:Female; D005515:Food Labeling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Kano survey; attitudes; education; nutrition knowledge; nutrition labels; socioeconomic status