This Brief provides a snapshot of the continuing debate in the food
industry on how to bridge the gap between consumer knowledge of
nutrition principles and the nutrition information system currently in
place for labelling. Aware Food Choices: Bridging the Gap Between
Consumer Knowledge About Nutrition and Nutritional Information examines
the available literature on consumer understanding of nutritional
information and comments on the current poor knowledge shown by
consumers about nutrition principles. Another focus of this Brief is on
the evolution of nutritional information in food labelling andcurrent
regulations on nutritional claims and product facts. In reviewing
attempts to improve the nutrition information system, this work points
out that consumers must first understand the data provided in order to
utilize the system to make healthy food choices. Therefore, any
campaigns aimed at improving the information system must concentrate on
consumer data understanding of nutrition principles and components as
opposed to a sole focus on labelling upgrades.