Researchers studied 1,125 adults over 60 in Brazil to see how warning labels on food packages affect their shopping choices. They found that warning labels do help people avoid unhealthy foods, but brand names still have the biggest influence on what people buy. Magnifying glass-shaped warning labels worked better than octagon-shaped ones. When people learned about what the warning labels meant before shopping, they paid more attention to them and less attention to familiar brand names. This suggests older adults could benefit from education about food warning labels.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How different warning labels on food packages influence food choices in adults over 60
  • Who participated: 1,125 adults over age 60 living in Brazil, recruited through Instagram ads
  • Key finding: Warning labels helped discourage unhealthy food choices, but brand familiarity was still the strongest factor in decision-making
  • What it means for you: If you’re over 60, learning about food warning labels may help you make healthier choices, but you should be aware that familiar brands might still sway your decisions

The Research Details

The researchers divided participants into four groups and showed them pairs of food products (cream cheese, juice, toast, and yogurt) with different combinations of features. Each product had either familiar or unfamiliar brands, nutrition claims, sensory claims, and warning labels. Half the participants learned about warning labels before making choices, while the other half didn’t receive this education. Participants had to choose which product they preferred from each pair.

This approach mimics real grocery shopping decisions where people compare products with different labels and brands. By testing different warning label shapes and providing education to some participants, researchers could see what works best for older adults.

The study included a large sample size and used random assignment to groups, which makes the results more reliable. However, this was done online rather than in actual stores, which may not perfectly reflect real shopping behavior.

What the Results Show

Warning labels did help older adults avoid unhealthy foods, but their effect varied by food type. The magnifying glass-shaped warning labels were more effective than octagon-shaped ones at discouraging unhealthy choices. However, brand familiarity had the strongest influence on food choices across all categories. When participants received education about warning labels before making choices, they became less influenced by brand names and paid more attention to both warning labels and nutrition claims.

Nutrition claims on packages sometimes had more influence than warning labels in certain food categories. The effectiveness of warning labels differed depending on the type of food being chosen, suggesting that some products may be more influenced by health messaging than others.

This study adds to growing evidence that front-of-package warning labels can influence food choices, but it’s one of the first to focus specifically on adults over 60 and compare different warning label shapes in this age group.

The study was conducted online using Instagram recruitment, which may not represent all older adults. Participants made hypothetical choices rather than actual purchases, and the study only included people from Brazil, so results may not apply to other countries or cultures.

The Bottom Line

Adults over 60 should learn what food warning labels mean to make better use of them when shopping. Look for warning labels on packaged foods and consider them alongside familiar brand names when making choices.

Adults over 60 who want to improve their food choices should pay attention to these findings. People who do most of their grocery shopping for older family members may also benefit from this information.

The effects of paying attention to warning labels should be immediate when shopping, but long-term health benefits from better food choices typically take weeks to months to become noticeable.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Log your food purchases and note when you choose products with or without warning labels to see patterns in your shopping habits
  • Before grocery shopping, remind yourself to look for and consider warning labels on packaged foods, not just familiar brand names
  • Track your weekly purchases of foods with warning labels and set goals to gradually reduce them while increasing healthier alternatives

This research provides general information about food labeling and should not replace personalized dietary advice from healthcare providers. Consult with your doctor or registered dietitian for nutrition guidance specific to your health needs.