Turkish consumers’ understanding and use of nutrition labels on packaged food products

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine Turkish consumers’ understanding and use of nutrition labels found on packaged food products. Data was collected from a total of 500 consumers living in Istanbul through the use of a structured and undisguised questionnaire. Apart from the descriptive statistics, analyses were conducted with respect to the demographic variables of “gender”, “age”, “education”, and “districts of the city respondents lived in”. Significant differences were found to exist particularly among those living in the different districts of the city. “Follow-up of nutrition related news in the media” has also been analyzed. Implications of the study for consumers, producers, retailers, and the state together with further research are presented in the last part of the paper. Although the findings of the study pertain to the Turkish market, its implications may be applicable in other countries, as well, where nutrition labeling is not mandatory for the time being.