title: The efficacy of sugar labeling formats: Implications for labeling policy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine knowledge of sugar recommendations and test the efficacy of formats for labeling total and added sugar on pre-packaged foods.
  
  
  METHODS
  Online surveys were conducted among 2008 Canadians aged 16-24. Participants were asked to identify recommended limits for total and added sugar consumption. In Experiment 1, participants were randomized to one of six labeling conditions with varying information for total sugar for a high- or low-sugar product and were asked to identify the relative amount of total sugar in the product. In Experiment 2, participants were randomized to one of three labels with different added sugar formats and were asked if the product contained added sugar and the relative amount of added sugar.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Few young people correctly identified recommendations for total sugar (5%) or added sugar (7%). In Experiment 1, those who were shown percent daily value information were more likely to correctly identify the relative amount of total sugar (P < 0.05). In Experiment 2, those shown added sugar information were more likely to correctly identify that the product contained added sugar and the relative amount of added sugar in the product (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Improved labeling may improve consumer understanding of the amount of sugars in food products.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Lana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vanderlee
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Christine M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: White
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bordes
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.|Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Erin P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Hobin
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hammond
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002170:Canada; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D005515:Food Labeling / Q000379:methods*; D018857:Food Packaging; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation; D064167:Recommended Dietary Allowances; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates