1. Facts Up Front Versus
Traffic Light Food Labels
A Randomized Controlled
Trial
Christina A. Roberto, PhD, Marie A. Bragg, MS, MPhil, Marlene B.
Schwartz, PhD, Marissa J. Seamans, BA, Aviva Musicus, Nicole
Novak, MS, Kelly D. Brownell, PhD
A Presentation By:
Mujan Noroozian

2. Background
Purpose of study:
1. To test consumer understanding of Facts Up Front
system vs. Multiple Traffic Light system
2. To examine helpfulness of “nutrients to encourage”
Roberto CA, Bragg MA, Schwartz MB, et al. Facts up front versus traffic light food
labels: a randomized controlled trial. American journal of preventive medicine.
2012;43:134.

3. Sample
Roberto CA, Bragg MA, Schwartz MB, et al. Facts up front versus traffic light food
labels: a randomized controlled trial. American journal of preventive medicine.
2012;43:134.

4. Methods: Label Conditions
Roberto CA, Bragg MA, Schwartz MB, et al. Facts up front versus traffic light food
labels: a randomized controlled trial. American journal of preventive medicine.
2012;43:134.

5. Methods: Nutrition Criteria
• U.S. brand name products
• Nutrient content classification based on FDA guidelines
• Sugar recommendations from American Heart Assoc.
Roberto CA, Bragg MA, Schwartz MB, et al. Facts up front versus traffic light food
labels: a randomized controlled trial. American journal of preventive medicine.
2012;43:134.

6. Survey Procedure
1. Public Service Announcement viewed
1. Nutrient level comparison quiz
1. Viewed 8 different individual products
Roberto CA, Bragg MA, Schwartz MB, et al. Facts up front versus traffic light food
labels: a randomized controlled trial. American journal of preventive medicine.
2012;43:134.

7. Products

8. Nutrient Level Comparison Quiz

9. Front of Package Label
Performance

10. Outcome
Roberto CA, Bragg MA, Schwartz MB, et al. Facts up front versus traffic light food
labels: a randomized controlled trial. American journal of preventive medicine.
2012;43:134.
Main Outcomes
Nutrient Level
Comparisons Quiz:
• All groups outperformed control group.
• Facts Up Front group had best performance.
Total Nutrient Level
Quiz:
• All groups outperformed control group.
• FUF+ & TL+ had best overall scores.
Saturated Fat Quiz: • All groups except FUF outperformed control group.
• Traffic Light+ did better than all groups.
• Traffic Light group outperformed both FUF groups.

11. Outcome
Roberto CA, Bragg MA, Schwartz MB, et al. Facts up front versus traffic light food
labels: a randomized controlled trial. American journal of preventive medicine.
2012;43:134.
Main Outcomes
Sugars Quiz: • All groups except FUF+ outperformed control group.
• Traffic Light+ group did better than all groups.
• Traffic Light group outperformed both FUF groups
Sodium Quiz: • All groups outperformed control group.
• Both Traffic Lights did better than FUF groups.
• Traffic Light+ had best performance.
Fiber/Protein
Quiz:
• Both plus groups outperformed control group.
• Control group didn’t differ from Traffic Light and FUF group
• Traffic Light+ had best performance.

12. After Survey
Ease of Label Interpretation
• I feel well informed by this food label.
• This food label can help me in
choosing foods.
• This food label can help me to
understand the product’s nutrition
composition.
• This food label can help me decide
what to buy.
• It is better for me to use this food
label for my buying decision rather
than to rely on my own knowledge of
food nutrition and ingredients.
Participants perceptions
• This food label has too much
information.
• Reading and understanding
this food label takes more time
than I am willing to spend.

13. After Survey
Socio-demographic Information
• Age
• BMI
• Gender
• Race/ethnicity
• Education level
• Income
• Currently trying to lose weight

14. Results
• Front of package nutrition label-can improve accuracy of
judgments about nutritional quality of foods/beverages.
• FUF labels & Traffic Light + helped people determine which
products had higher or lower levels of nutrients.
• When comparing products based on protein/fiber-FUF+ & TL+
equal.
• Traffic Light + had best overall performance.
• Facts Up Front groups outperformed the control group.
Roberto CA, Bragg MA, Schwartz MB, et al. Facts up front versus traffic light food
labels: a randomized controlled trial. American journal of preventive medicine.
2012;43:134.

15. Discussion
A. Traffic Light Labels more helpful (avg. score for TL+ was >90%)
• Suggests that displaying fiber + protein might help participants judge other
nutrient levels.
• More user friendly.
B. Facts Up Front Labels (avg. scores ranged from 47%-72%)
• Good for companies if they want to select different nutrients to encourage.
• Helpful when comparing 2 products on sugar, sodium, & sat. fat only.
• Participants found it more confusing (too much info & took too much time).
C. Perceptions of Health, Taste, & Intent to buy
• Not influenced by label conditions.
• Suggest that labels may help inform consumers but not change behavior.

16. Limitations/Strengths
Limitations Strengths
Participants from internet panel Randomized controlled trial
Small sample of products examined Large sample representative of
educational profile of the U.S.
Interpretation information given before
quizzes
Well organized
Label condition names similar
Had more Caucasian participants
Roberto CA, Bragg MA, Schwartz MB, et al. Facts up front versus traffic light food
labels: a randomized controlled trial. American journal of preventive medicine.
2012;43:134.

17. Conclusion
Overall:
Traffic Light + condition group performed better than Facts
Up Front conditions.
Roberto CA, Bragg MA, Schwartz MB, et al. Facts up front versus traffic light food
labels: a randomized controlled trial. American journal of preventive medicine.
2012;43:134.

18. References

19. Additional Information
Finland: Heart Symbol Program
• http://www.sydanmerkki.fi/en
The Netherlands: Choices Program
• http://www.choicesprogramme.org/about/the-programme
Sweden/Denmark/Norway: Keyhole Program
• http://www.norden.org/en/nordic-council-of-ministers/council-of-
ministers/council-of-ministers-for-fisheries-and-aquaculture-agriculture-
food-and-forestry-mr-fjls/keyhole-nutrition-label
• United Kingdom: Traffic Light Label
• http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Goodfood/Pages/food-labelling.aspx
Roberto CA, Bragg MA, Schwartz MB, et al. Facts up front versus traffic light food
labels: a randomized controlled trial. American journal of preventive medicine.
2012;43:134.