Evaluation and comparison of the effectiveness of front-of-package labeling systems for pre-packaged and ultra-processed foods and non-alcoholic beverages in Panama

Effects of front-of-package nutrition labelling systems on objective understanding and purchase intention of food and non-alcoholic drink products in Panama: a randomized controlled trial

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN16951125

Enrollment

1200

Registered

2023-07-17

Start date

2022-04-28

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2023-08-02

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Front-of-package nutrition labelling systems Nutritional, Metabolic, Endocrine

Interventions

Allocation is random at an equal rate (1/4) to four study groups (three experimental groups and the control group). The randomisation of the experimental conditions and groups was completed by adoptin

the only difference across groups is the front-of-package (FOP) labelling scheme they feature. Mock-ups shown to participants feature solely one of the following FOPL schemes tested, according to the

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. Adult supermarket shoppers residing in Panama 2. Aged 18 years old or older

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. Visually impaired people 2. Persons unable to give informed consent 3. People who deny being part of this study 4. People who do not meet the inclusion criteria

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Contribution of the different front-of-package labeling (FOPL) schemes to improve the decision of participants to buy the least harmful option more often, the selection of the least harmful option more often and the correct identification of sugars, sodium and/or saturated fats found to be in excess in the products more often, measured comparing correct responses of participants to the stimuli in different experimental/control groups, measured using responses obtained from respondents by the interviewers by means of the application of a structured questionnaire after they were shown two-dimensional images of mock-up products	—

Measure

Time frame

Contribution of the different front-of-package labeling (FOPL) schemes to improve the decision of participants to buy the least harmful option more often, the selection of the least harmful option more often and the correct identification of sugars, sodium and/or saturated fats found to be in excess in the products more often, measured comparing correct responses of participants to the stimuli in different experimental/control groups, measured using responses obtained from respondents by the interviewers by means of the application of a structured questionnaire after they were shown two-dimensional images of mock-up products

—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
Contribution of sociodemographic variables, including gender, age and education level in explaining differences between the performance of the different front-of-package labeling schemes tested using responses obtained from respondents by the interviewers by means of the application of a structured questionnaire right after they were shown the mock-up products and answered the questions about them.	—

Measure

Time frame

Contribution of sociodemographic variables, including gender, age and education level in explaining differences between the performance of the different front-of-package labeling schemes tested using responses obtained from respondents by the interviewers by means of the application of a structured questionnaire right after they were shown the mock-up products and answered the questions about them.

—

Countries

Panama

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026