59 pc Indians check food labels: Nielson survey

Mumbai, Aug 11 (UNI) About 59 per cent of Indians check nutritional information on the food packages, revealed an internet survey on Food Labelling and Nutrition conducted in 51 countries.

However, the survey, conducted by The Nielsen Company, said that the percentage has increased from 49 per cent to 59 per cent between 2005-2008 and is the highest in the Asia-Pacific region.

Among the Indian consumers surveyed, 37 per cent said they always checked the nutritional information when buying packaged goods, another 35 per cent agreed to checking labels when planning to buy a product for the first time, while 28 per cent only checked the labels when buying certain food types and 10 per cent respondents agreed to check labels when they are on a diet or are trying to lose weight and also when they have the time.

Unfortunately, there was a marked decrease - 21 per cent to 12 per cent - in checking labels while buying products for children, and 5 percent Indians never check the nutritional labels.

Exposure to global food products and health conciousness were the main motivators for the percentage of Indians checking labels going up from 32 percent (2005) to 37 percent (2008), the survey report said.

UNI ZC SR RL PM1736