Introducing the Front-Of-Pack Acceptance Model: the role of usefulness and ease of use in European consumers’ acceptance of Front-Of-Pack Labels

Abstract

In recent years, increasing attention to the utilisation of Front-Of-Pack Labels (FOPLs) as a tool to prompt individuals towards healthier food choices has been observed both in regulatory bodies and academic research. However, few theoretical models have been used to understand their role in consumer decision-making, as well as the antecedents that induce individuals to accept the information provided by the label, and to benchmark FOPL performance in different markets.

Through a sequence of two studies conducted in Italy, France and the UK on 2812 primary grocery shoppers, we developed a new theoretical framework, the Front-Of-Pack Acceptance Model, applicable both in contexts in which FOPL are present, and in which they should be introduced. Our findings suggest a structural link between the usefulness and ease of use of the labels and the way consumers form their attitudes and intentions towards buying healthier products.

Keywords:

• Front-Of-Pack nutritional labels
• technology acceptance model
• Nutri-Score
• NutrInform battery
• multiple-traffic-light
• warning label
• FOPAM
• obesity
• overweight

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Irene Finocchi, Full Professor of Computer Science at Luiss Guido Carli, for her valuable suggestion on the utilization of clustering techniques utilized in the Preliminary Studies.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Notes

1 PU_10 Using Front of Pack labels saves me time; PU_11 Food Front-of-Pack label enables me to accomplish food purchase more quickly; PU_12 Using Food Front-of-Pack label reduces the time I spend on unproductive food purchase activities.