Análise da percepção dos consumidores de Campo Grande/MS sobre a nova rotulagem nutricional frontal de alimentos

Abstract

Food labeling is an essential tool for providing clear information about ingredients, nutritional value, food allergies, and other important data to consumers. This study investigates recent changes in Brazilian legislation, especially regulations RDC No. 429/2020 and IN No. 75/2020, which aim to improve the clarity of nutritional information on food labels. In this sense, the objective of this study was to analyze consumers' perceptions of the new front-of-pack nutrition labeling (FPL). The research was quantitative in nature, carried out with a sample of 383 residents of Campo Grande (MS), with a 95% confidence level. The study addressed habits, attitudes, and perceptions about the consumption of foods with Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labeling (FPL), considering the sociodemographic profile of the participants. Data collection was carried out online, using Google Forms®, with a questionnaire available from October to December 2024. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, presenting absolute and relative frequencies, to understand how consumers perceive the NFR and the factors that influence their food choices. A survey indicated that the new changes in the front-of-package nutritional labeling, conditioned by regulations RDC 429/2020 and IN 75/2020, influenced consumers' perception, making them more aware of the presence of excess ingredients in foods. However, the results suggest that the inclusion of magnifying glasses on the label was not a determining factor in eliminating the consumption of these products. Although a portion of consumers reduced the frequency of consumption of certain food items after the implementation of the new labeling, others maintained their eating habits, showing that socioeconomic factors and the individual experiences of each group play important roles in food choices in the city of Campo Grande/MS.