Clinical Research Directory

Testing Ultra-processed Warning Labels in United States

This randomized controlled online experiment will test whether adding an ultra-processed food (UPF) warning label to the FDA's proposed Nutrition Information Box (NIB) changes consumer perceptions of UPFs among a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults. Participants will be randomized to one of four label conditions and will evaluate four UPF yogurt products with different nutritional profiles on the NIB. The primary outcome is purchase intent and the secondary outcomes are perceived healthfulness, perceived usefulness and correct identification of UPF products. This experiment aims to answer the following questions: Do UPF warning labels reduce purchase intentions compared to the NIB alone? Do UPF warning labels reduce perceived healthfulness compared to the NIB alone? Do UPF warning labels help more consumers correctly identify products as ultra-processed compared to the NIB alone? Do different UPF warning label color designs differ in effectiveness at reducing purchase intentions, lowering perceived healthfulness, and improving correct identification of UPFs? Researchers will compare outcomes across the four randomized arms to estimate the independent effect of adding UPF warnings beyond nutrient disclosure in the NIB alone.

Supermarket Labelling and Taxation Study

Participants will be assigned to one of four conditions: (i) nutrient warning labelling and no taxation, (ii) nutrient warning labelling and taxation, (iii) current traffic light labelling and taxation or (iv) a control condition (current traffic light labelling and no taxation). Participants will complete a food ordering task using a simulated online supermarket resembling a major UK retailer (Tesco), before purchasing their selected items for delivery/collection via the retailer. Food choices will be recorded, and participants will self-report intake of purchased food items.