Examining Front-of-Package Product Names and Ingredient Lists of Infant and Toddler Food Containing Vegetables

Mackenzie J Ferrante; Kameron J Moding; Laura L Bellows; Alyssa J Bakke; John E Hayes; Susan L Johnson

doi:10.1016/j.jneb.2020.11.019

Examining Front-of-Package Product Names and Ingredient Lists of Infant and Toddler Food Containing Vegetables

J Nutr Educ Behav. 2021 Feb;53(2):96-102. doi: 10.1016/j.jneb.2020.11.019.

Authors

Mackenzie J Ferrante¹, Kameron J Moding², Laura L Bellows¹, Alyssa J Bakke³, John E Hayes³, Susan L Johnson⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
² Department of Human Development & Family Studies, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.
³ Department of Food Science, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA.
⁴ Department of Pediatrics, Section of Nutrition, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO. Electronic address: Susan.Johnson@cuanschutz.edu.

PMID: 33573771
DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2020.11.019

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the alignment between vegetables and fruits listed in the ingredients of commercially produced infant and toddler food (ITF) and inclusion in front-of-package product names.

Design: A database of commercial ITF containing vegetables (n = 548) was created. Inclusion of each vegetable or fruit in the product name (yes/no), form (ie, whole/puree, juice/juice concentrate, etc), and ingredient list position (ie, first, second) were recorded. Vegetables were classified per US Department of Agriculture categories; fruits were classified into 2 categories.

Analysis: Chi-square tests of association tested associations between product name inclusion and (1) vegetable and fruit category, (2) form, and (3) form by category.

Results: Associations were observed between vegetable and fruit categories and inclusion in product names [χ² (6, N = 1,462) = 70.3, P < 0.001]. Vegetables in the US Department of Agriculture dark green category were more likely to appear in product names (94%; standardized residual [SR] = 2.1), as were other vegetables (62%; SR = 4.9). Vegetable and fruit forms were associated with inclusion in product name [χ² (4, N = 1,462) = 206.6, P < 0.001]. Juice/juice concentrates were less likely to be included in names (32.4%; SR = -5.4).

Conclusions and implications: Substantial discrepancies exist between ITF ingredient lists and front-of-package product names. When only front-of-package information informs purchases, caregivers may not be purchasing products that facilitate children's building of vegetable preferences.

Keywords: complementary food; food labeling; infants; parents; vegetables.

MeSH terms

Child, Preschool
Consumer Behavior
Food Labeling*
Fruit*
Humans
Infant
Infant Food / analysis
Vegetables*