Do food labels shape food choices? Insights from Medical Students of a medical college in Gujarat

Abstract

Background: Food labels are a simple yet powerful tool to guide healthier food choices. While awareness of labels is increasing, their consistent use remains limited, particularly among young adults who are at risk of adopting unhealthy dietary behaviours that contribute to non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Objectives: This study aimed to (1) Assess awareness regarding nutrition/food labels among medical students and (2) examine the impact of this awareness on their food and snack choices. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 172 MBBS randomly selected students (including late adolescents aged below 18 years and young adults) from a university medical college in Gujarat. Information was gathered through a pre-tested, validated questionnaire that explored how participants understood food labels, how they used them in daily life, and their snacking habits. Descriptive statistics and proportions were calculated using IBM SPSS 25. Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained. Results: Awareness of basic label components such as expiry date (100%), vegetarian/non-vegetarian logo (100%), and FSSAI mark (92%) was high. However, awareness of specialized logos like fortified food (49%) and Jaivik Bharat (23%) was limited. While 75% reported that reading labels influenced their food choices, only 17% regularly read them. Key barriers included lack of time (59%), reliance on brand trust (60%), and difficulty understanding labels (8%). Snacking was guided mainly by taste (66%) and brand (76%), with minimal influence from celebrity endorsements (11%). Conclusion: Although medical students demonstrated high awareness of food labels, regular and comprehensive label-reading practices were limited. The findings highlight a significant knowledge–practice gap, emphasizing the need for structured educational interventions and simplified labelling strategies to promote effective use of food labels and reduce long-term diet-related NCD risk.