A new study tested whether the way we talk about warning labels on packaged foods changes how much shoppers pay attention to them. Researchers in Brazil showed over 1,000 adults different messages about high-in labels, which warn when a food is high in sugar, salt, or saturated fat. Some messages focused on the benefits of using the labels (gain-framed), others on the risks of ignoring them (loss-framed), and some were neutral. A control group saw no message.
The study found that people who saw any message about the labels gave them more weight when choosing foods, compared to the control group. But the gain-framed messages worked best: they made the high-in labels more important than brand names or sensory claims like “tasty” or “crunchy.” Even so, brand and sensory claims still influenced choices the most overall.
No safety concerns were reported because this was a communication study, not a drug trial. The main limitation is that the study was done online, so real-world shopping behavior might differ. Also, the messages were tested only in Brazil, so results may not apply everywhere.
What this means for you: How a warning label is explained can affect how much you notice it. Positive, benefit-focused messages may help you make healthier choices, but brands and taste claims still have a strong pull. More policies may be needed to make warning labels truly effective.