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Impact of a Front-of-pack Nutrition Labelling on Food Purchases in Contract Catering

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Food Labeling
Interventions
Behavioral: Front-of-pack nutrition label Nutri-Score
Registration Number
NCT04252898
Lead Sponsor
University of Paris 13
Brief Summary

This controlled trial investigates the impact of the implementation of a front-of-pack nutrition label, namely Nutri-Score, on foods and beverages sold in a contract catering in France on the nutritional quality of purchases.

Detailed Description

The introduction of front-of-pack nutrition labelling is thought to help consumers making healthier food choices at the point-of-purchase. In 2017, the French government has selected the Nutri-Score as single front-of-pack nutrition label to be applied on food products sold in French supermarkets, on a voluntary basis.

Some studies have found that the Nutri-Score would help consumers making healthier choices. Nevertheless, its impact has been demonstrated in experimental supermarkets and its implementation only concerns products sold in groceries and supermarkets, as it is stated in the official decree. The potential impact of the Nutri-Score in contract catering remains unknown, while this sector represents a growing share of out-of-home catering and that the promotion of the Nutri-Score in this sector is now part of the National Public Health Plan.

Thus, the objective of the present study is to investigate the impact of the implementation of the Nutri-Score in contract catering restaurants on the nutritional quality of food purchases. The trial will be conducted using a quasi experimental before/after design with a comparison group. Data on purchases will be collected regularly through receipts, and the nutritional quality of purchases will be evaluated over time on two pairs of sites. In each pair of sites, one site will receive an intervention (Nutri-Score) and one site will be a control site. Within each pair, the sites will be comparable in terms of food offer and consumers profile.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
2082
Inclusion Criteria
  • all individuals purchasing in the contract catering restaurants will be included.
Exclusion Criteria
  • No

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Intervention armFront-of-pack nutrition label Nutri-ScoreIn this arm (site n°1), participants will purchase their products in the restaurant first in a control phase and then in an interventional phase with the Nutri-Score affixed on food products.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in the overall nutritional quality of purchases over timeThrough study completion, an average of 6 months

Score using the Food Standards Agency nutrient profiling system modified by the HCSP, allocating points depending on the amounts in unfavourable elements (energy, saturates, sugars, sodium) and favorable elements (fibres, proteins and fruits, vegetables, nuts and oils (olive, colza, nuts))

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in Sugar content of purchasesThrough study completion, an average of 6 months

Sugar content of the purchases in g / 100g

Change in energy content of purchasesThrough study completion, an average of 6 months

Energy content of the purchases in kcal / 100g

Change in Saturated fat content of purchasesThrough study completion, an average of 6 months

Saturated fat content of the purchases in g / 100g

Change in Protein content of purchasesThrough study completion, an average of 6 months

Protein content of the purchases in g / 100g

Change in Fibre content of purchasesThrough study completion, an average of 6 months

Fibre content of the purchases in g / 100g

Change in Fruit, vegetable and nut content of purchasesThrough study completion, an average of 6 months

Fruit, vegetable and nut content of the purchases in % / 100g

Change in Sodium content of purchasesThrough study completion, an average of 6 months

Sodium content of the purchases in mg / 100g

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Equipe de Recherche en Epidémiologie Nutritionnelle

🇫🇷

Bobigny, France

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