8 research outputs found
South African consumers’ perceptions of front-of-package warning labels on unhealthy foods and drinks
Front-of-package labeling (FOPL) is a policy tool that helps consumers to make informed
food choices. South Africa has not yet implemented this labeling system. The aim of this
study was therefore to explore adult South African consumers’ perceptions of front-of-package warning labels on foods and non-alcoholic beverages (referred to as drinks in this
paper) and their insights into features that could influence the effectiveness of the warning
label. Using a qualitative approach, the study purposively selected consumers diversified by
urbanization, gender, socioeconomic status, and literacy. We collected data from a total of
113 participants through 12 focus group discussions. Data were systematically coded and
divided into five themes namely, positive attitudes toward warning labels, perceived benefits
of warning labels, perceived behavior modification, perceived beneficiaries of warning
labels, and effective attributes of warning labels
Perceived effect of warning label on parental food purchasing and drivers of food selection among South African parents–An exploratory study
Household food purchasing decision is a complex process influenced by factors such as marketing, cost, children food preference and parental choices. Most food products targeted toward children are unhealthy and are aggressively marketed to increase desirability among parents and children making healthier food selection even harder. The warning label (WL) is identified as a simple front-of-package labeling format that assist consumers to easily identify unhealthy foods and reduce their purchasing. This was a qualitative study that aimed to investigate the perceived effect of the warning label (WL) on parental food purchasing and drivers of food selection among parents. The study was conducted in a mainly rural part of South Africa, in Limpopo Province. Data were collected from 44 adult participants, all parents with children aged below 16 years selected using the snowball sampling method. Seven focus groups diversified according to age, literacy, income and urbanicity were utilized for data collection. Using a focus group discussion guide, parents were shown images of six products (crisps, soda, juice, biscuits, cereals, and yogurt) superimposed with the WL and questions asked were based on those images. Thematic analysis revealed that although some parents felt undeterred by the WL, some felt they would alter their food purchasing in the presence of the WL. Other parents felt they would reduce the frequency or the amount purchased or completely stop purchasing labeled products for their children. Motives behind perceived behavior modification included children's health being perceived as a priority and labeled products being viewed as unhealthy. Factors such as pressure from children, taste, poor nutrition knowledge and affordability seemed to influence parental food selection. These findings have important policy implications by providing evidence to policymakers that the WL may alter parental food purchasing and also provide insight into drivers of food selection among South African parents
Perceived effect of warning label on parental food purchasing and drivers of food selection among South African parents–An exploratory study
Household food purchasing decision is a complex process influenced by
factors such as marketing, cost, children food preference and parental
choices. Most food products targeted toward children are unhealthy and are
aggressively marketed to increase desirability among parents and children
making healthier food selection even harder. The warning label (WL) is
identified as a simple front-of-package labeling format that assist consumers
to easily identify unhealthy foods and reduce their purchasing. This was
a qualitative study that aimed to investigate the perceived eect of the
warning label (WL) on parental food purchasing and drivers of food selection
among parents. The study was conducted in a mainly rural part of South
Africa, in Limpopo Province.Household food purchasing decision is a complex process influenced by
factors such as marketing, cost, children food preference and parental
choices. Most food products targeted toward children are unhealthy and are
aggressively marketed to increase desirability among parents and children
making healthier food selection even harder. The warning label (WL) is
identified as a simple front-of-package labeling format that assist consumers
to easily identify unhealthy foods and reduce their purchasing. This was
a qualitative study that aimed to investigate the perceived eect of the
warning label (WL) on parental food purchasing and drivers of food selection
among parents
A fit-for-purpose nutrient profiling model to underpin food and nutrition policies in South Africa
South Africa (SA) is facing a rising prevalence of obesity and diet-related chronic diseases.
The government is seeking to develop effective, evidence-based policy measures to address this. A
well-designed, fit-for-purpose nutrient profiling model (NPM) can aid policy development. The
aim of this study was to develop a fit-for-purpose NPM in SA. Steps included: (1) determining the
purpose and target population; (2) selecting appropriate nutrients and other food components to
include; (3) selecting a suitable NPM type, criteria and base; and (4) selecting appropriate numbers
and thresholds. As part of the evaluation, the nutritional composition of packaged foods containing
nutritional information (n = 6747) in the SA food supply chain was analyzed, a literature review was
undertaken and various NPMs were evaluated. Our findings indicated that it is most appropriate to
adapt an NPM and underpin regulation with a restrictive NPM that limits unhealthy food components. The Chile 2019 NPM was identified as suitable to adapt, and total sugar, saturated fat, sodium
and non-sugar sweetener were identified as appropriate to restrict. This NPM has the potential
to underpin restrictive policies, such as front-of-package labelling and child-directed marketing
regulations in SA. These policies will support the fight against obesity and NCDs in the country
Effect of different front-of-package food labels on identification of unhealthy products and intention to purchase the products– A randomised controlled trial in South Africa
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different labels on participants identifying products high in nutrients of
concern; identifying unhealthy products, and intention to purchase unhealthy products. This blinded randomised
controlled trial included a representative sample of South African households (n = 1951). Per household we
selected a member primarily responsible for food purchases. Participants were randomised into the Warning
Label (WL), Guideline Dietary Amounts (GDA) or Multiple Traffic Light (MTL) arms. Each participant answered
questions in a no label condition (control) followed by same questions in the label condition (experiment).
Complete data were collected and analysed for 1948 participants (WL = 33.7%, GDA = 32.1% and MTL =
34.2%). The probability of correctly identifying products high in nutrients of concern and identifying products as
being unhealthy was higher with the WL compared to the GDA or MTL for most items. There was no difference in
performance between the GDA and the MTL when considering all items together. A higher percentage of participants reported a lower intention to purchase an unhealthy product after exposure to the WL compared to MTL
for 5 out of 6 products; 2 out of 6 products for the WL compared to GDA and 2 out of 6 products for GDA
compared to MTL. Compared to the control condition, exposure to each of the labels resulted in better identification of nutrients of concern, unhealthy products and a lower intention to purchase when considering all
specific outcome items together. The WL showed a higher potential to enable South African consumers to identify
products high in nutrients of concern, identify unhealthy products and discourage purchasing of unhealthy
products
Rural Nurses’ Views on Breastmilk Banking in Limpopo Province, South Africa: A Qualitative Study
The development of breastmilk banks is being established among the African population, including in Limpopo Province. However, the views of nurses directly handling the donated breastmilk in the province remain unknown. This study was aimed at exploring and describing the views of nurses towards breastmilk banking in the Mankweng area, Limpopo Province. A qualitative, descriptive, and explorative study was undertaken at a tertiary hospital and a rural feeder clinic in the Mankweng area. Purposive sampling was employed to obtain participants for the interviews. One-on-one, semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore the views of these nurses. Data were analysed using Tesch’s open coding method, with the information obtained being grouped into different themes and sub-themes. Almost all nurses were willing to donate their breastmilk to the bank. However, receiving donated breastmilk for their own children seemed to be a challenge due to the safety of the donated breastmilk, uncertainty about the screening process, and cultural issues. Although donation of breastmilk appeared to be well supported by almost all the nurses, the use of donated breastmilk seemed to be not fully acceptable. Increased awareness about breastmilk donation and banking should be prioritised in the province
The Use of Non-Prescribed Medicines in Infants from Birth to Six Months in Rural Areas of Polokwane Municipality—Limpopo Province, South Africa
The WHO and UNICEF recommend that only breastmilk, vitamin drops, oral rehydration solution, and prescribed medicine can go through the infant’s mouth. Non-prescribed medications (NPM) include over-the-counter medications and traditional medicine and are contraindicated during infancy. Furthermore, the updated exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) indicator details that herbal fluids and similar traditional medicines are counted as fluids, and infants who consume these are not exclusively breastfed. However, the use of these items is common among caregivers for various reasons, including religious reasons, cultural beliefs, prevention of diseases, and the treatment of diseases. The practice of administering NPM before six months of age undermines exclusive breastfeeding and can result in undesirable health outcomes. Methods: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of NPM, describe the types of medications used, and explain why caregivers use NMP in infants younger than six months of age. A quantitative approach and a facility-based cross-sectional survey were used to conduct this study. Convenience sampling was used to select clinics, and proportionality and simple random sampling were used to select 146 participants. Data were analyzed using SPSS (29). A p-value of p p < 0.005. Conclusions: Non-prescribed medications are highly prevalent in the rural areas of Polokwane and are practiced by caregivers between the ages of 25–35 years advised by the families. Access to self-medication should be controlled, especially in the first month of life. Interventions to reduce the use of NPM should be targeted at young mothers and their families