O-80 Attitudes and Practices toward Food Labels and Nutrition Information for Packaged and Restaurant Foods among Adults: Findings from the Jamaica Salt Consumption Study

Methods: A nationally representative cross-sectional study of Jamaicans ≥18 years was conducted between April 2022 and December 2023. Trained data collectors administered questionnaires regarding attitudes and practices on food labelling and nutrition information of packaged and restaurant foods. Survey weight proportions of responses to questionnaire items were obtained using Stata software. Pearson’s chi-squared test was used to assess relationships between responses and sociodemographic characteristics.

Results: Of the 945 participants (38% males, mean age of 40.6 years), most were urban dwellers (74%), had high school (51%) or more than high school education (37%), and relatively young (78% 18-54 years). Overall, 98% of participants (male 99%, female 97%, p=0.006) thought the amount of salt in foods should be included on the labels of packaged foods, while 83% thought restaurants should report the amount of salt in foods (female 85%, male 80%, p=0.002). Approximately 97% of the population supported the use of warning labels to indicate when foods were high in salt. However, less than 20% always or often checked the salt content on food labels, while 24% often or always read food labels; only 15% reported that the information on food labels influenced their choice in purchasing food items. Most responses varied by age and education level but usually not by urban vs. rural residence.

Conclusion: A large majority of Jamaicans support providing information and warnings regarding the salt content of foods, but few currently read labels or are guided by information on food labels. Public health policy should support positive attitudes towards food labels and institute measures to make labels easy to understand and thus influence choices.