Survey on Recognition and Needs for Nutrition and Health Labeling and Their Application to Dietary Education

Abstract

：The Committee of Food Labeling and Nutrition Education of the Japanese Society of Nutrition and Food Science has reported a survey on food labeling and has held symposia on these issues based on the results.In the last term,we have surveyed the awareness and recognition of food labeling in various fi elds and compared recent results with those in the previous report ( 2001) . In the future,we would like to present our opinions on desirable food labeling by conducting a further survey.This report summarizes the survey focusing on the recognition,utilization and information sources for nutrition claims,Food for Specifi ed Health Use(FOSHU) ,and so- called health foods. The results are as follows: ①Nutrition claims are commonly seen and utilized for maintenance and promotion of health.However,it is desirable for consumers that the presentation method of food labeling be improved because the present labeling system is difficult to understand and is restricted to certain foods.This result is the same as that of the previous survey. ②There is a general awareness and use of FOSHU items.Especially the younger generation and students often know and utilize FOSHU items,and have keen interest in some of their functions,whereas the elderly and readers of healthy life- related magazines seldom use them.The health claims of FOSHU that are of most interest are related to body fat and the condition of the intestines.However,there seems to be hardly any relationship between the components of FOSHU and their claimed health benefi ts. ③Although“ Foods with Nutrition Function Claim”are hardly recognized and utilized in comparison with FOSHU,the trends seen among the generations are the same as those for FOSHU. ④So- called heath foods show a diff erent trend of utilization compared with FOSHU.There is no obvious diff erence in usage among the generations,and elderly people also use such kinds of foods.As consumers obtain information on these foods mainly from TV and friends,it seems difficult for them to have access to accurate scientifi c information on health foods. In the future, in order to ensure the safety and eff ectiveness of health foods,a suitable framework of regulations should be established