Can Consumers Interpret Nutrition Information in the Presence of a Health Claim? A Laboratory Investigation

Abstract

The authors report the results of a laboratory experiment that investigates whether consumers can evaluate nutrition information in the presence of a health claim. Results show that both health claims and nutrition information influence beliefs about product healthfulness. However, health claims do not influence the processing of nutrition information on a food label. Rather, health claims and nutrition information have independent effects on consumer beliefs. The authors discuss the implications of these findings for the Food and Drug Administration policy on limiting health claims.