The goal of this experiment is to test the effects an "ultraprocessed" warning label on foods and beverages among Brazilian consumers. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Do "ultraprocessed" warnings affect Brazilian consumers' intention to purchase products? * Do "ultraprocessed" warnings affect Brazilian consumers' product perceptions? Participants will see images of four products carrying either nutrient warning labels (which are currently mandatory in Brazil) or nutrient warning labels alongside an experimental warning label informing that the product is ultraprocessed. Participants will then answer survey questions about each product. Researchers will compare responses between both arms to determine if the "ultraprocessed" warning significantly changes the effect of nutrient warnings.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
1,007
Inclusion of nutrient warning labels, which are currently mandatory in Brazil, to images of food products.
Inclusion of nutrient warning labels, which are currently mandatory in Brazil, and an experimental ultraprocessed warning label to images of food products.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
Purchase intentions
How likely the participant would be to buy products will be measured by survey. Response options are on a 1 to 5 scale, with higher scores representing a higher likelihood of buying products.
Time frame: Online survey within 20 minutes following completion of a ~10 minute shopping task.
Product healthfulness perceptions
How healthy products seem to the participant will be measured by survey. Response options are on a 1 to 5 scale, with higher scores representing a higher perceived product healthfulness.
Time frame: Online survey within 20 minutes following completion of a ~10 minute shopping task.
Product processing status perceptions
Whether the participant believes products are ultraprocessed will be measured by survey. Responses options are "no," "yes," and "I'm not sure."
Time frame: Online survey within 20 minutes following completion of a ~10 minute shopping task.
Message effectiveness perceptions
Perceived message effectiveness of the study labels will be measured by survey through a three-item scale. Items inquire about how much the labels discourage the participant from wanting to consume the products, how much the labels make the participant concerned about the health effects of consuming the products, and how much the labels make consuming the products seem unpleasant. Response options are on a 1 to 5 scale, with higher scores representing a higher perceived message effectiveness of the study labels.
Time frame: Online survey within 20 minutes following completion of a ~10 minute shopping task.
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.