Does nutrition information on food products lead to healthier food choices?

This paper examines the link between nutrition label use and consumers' healthier food choices. Label use is considered for the two main types of labels currently found on food products: nutrition facts panels and nutrition/health claims. This link is tested using a three-equation multivariate probit model. Data were obtained from an ad hoc survey conducted in two medium-sized Spanish cities. The results indicate that the use of nutrition information by consumers, whether this involves the fact panel or the claim labels, does influence consumer choice of healthier food products to the same extent, although different types of consumers use the various types of labels considered. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.