“It’s All Just Marketing”, a Qualitative Analysis of Consumer Perceptions and Understandings of Nutrition Content and Health Claims in New Zealand

Lucy Stuthridge, Donnell Alexander, Maria Stubbe, Paul Eme and Claire Smith
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Lucy Stuthridge: Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
Donnell Alexander: New Zealand Food Safety, Ministry for Primary Industries, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
Maria Stubbe: Department of General Practice, University of Otago, Wellington 6242, New Zealand
Paul Eme: New Zealand Food Safety, Ministry for Primary Industries, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
Claire Smith: Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 6, 1-22

Abstract: Nutrition content and health claims are widely used globally on both food labels and in food advertising. This study explored how New Zealand consumers understand, perceive, and use nutrition content and health claims on food labels. A qualitative approach was used with semi-structured in-depth online interviews and in-person focus groups including 49 participants, aged ≥25 years responsible for household food shopping. Transcripts were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis using inductive coding, with development of five themes—(1) aware of claims but did not use, (2) mistrust and scepticism, (3) confusion and misinterpretation, (4) using claims to guide food choice, and (5) not all claims are equal. For theme 1, price and habit were found to be the most influential in driving food choice. Underlying theme 2 was the perception by most of nutrition and health claims as marketing. Scepticism was exacerbated when nutrient claims were displayed on inherently unhealthy products. However participants with specific dietary requirements did find claims helpful. Restricting nutrient claims to foods meeting a healthy nutrient profile aligned to the existing Health Star Rating system, education about regulation and supporting claims with more contextual information may increase trust, the perceived value of claims and therefore their utility.

Keywords: nutrition claim; health claim; food labelling; qualitative; consumer (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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