Page 193 - Petelin, Ana, et al. 2019. Eds. Zdravje otrok in mladostnikov / Health of Children and Adolescents. Proceedings. Koper: University of Primorska Press
P. 193
Do you know what you eat?
Anja Zupan, Nika Kremič, Jasmina Bevc, Urša Šmid
Slovene Consumers’ Association, Frankopanska ulica 5, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Abstract
Introduction: Obligatory labelling of pre-packaged foods with nutritional
value is defined by legislation for a several years already, but consumers’
responses prove that many of this information is not used. Simply
because they do not understand it, they do not have time or do not
even notice it. Slovenian Consumers’ Association, within the project
Declaration = Information, has developed a mobile application “Veš kaj
ješ”, which will help also children and adolescents, to make healthier
choices. Methods: The application was developed together with Jožef
Stefan Institute, which provided the technical development for the
application and a link to the database with over 20,000 foods collected
at the Nutrition Institute. Presentation and promotion of the application
took place through various organizations, media and social networks.
Results: Consumers use food composition data more often if they are
presented in a simpler and more understandable way. Labelling system
was developed that colours key nutrition data with traffic light colours.
Conclusions: In a survey (2016), we found that when the product is
presented with such labelling system, as many as 94% of consumers
correctly evaluate the nutritional profile. Considering that, we decided to
use traffic light system in our application. VešKajJeš application will help
young people to healthier everyday choices. It may lead them to a more
conscious and balanced way of eating, as they will be able to select and
compare food at the point of sale by simply scanning the barcode. Its use
is simple, fast, and the information is given in an understandable way.
Key words: mobile application, healthy choices, declaration, dietary traffic
light
Anja Zupan, Nika Kremič, Jasmina Bevc, Urša Šmid
Slovene Consumers’ Association, Frankopanska ulica 5, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Abstract
Introduction: Obligatory labelling of pre-packaged foods with nutritional
value is defined by legislation for a several years already, but consumers’
responses prove that many of this information is not used. Simply
because they do not understand it, they do not have time or do not
even notice it. Slovenian Consumers’ Association, within the project
Declaration = Information, has developed a mobile application “Veš kaj
ješ”, which will help also children and adolescents, to make healthier
choices. Methods: The application was developed together with Jožef
Stefan Institute, which provided the technical development for the
application and a link to the database with over 20,000 foods collected
at the Nutrition Institute. Presentation and promotion of the application
took place through various organizations, media and social networks.
Results: Consumers use food composition data more often if they are
presented in a simpler and more understandable way. Labelling system
was developed that colours key nutrition data with traffic light colours.
Conclusions: In a survey (2016), we found that when the product is
presented with such labelling system, as many as 94% of consumers
correctly evaluate the nutritional profile. Considering that, we decided to
use traffic light system in our application. VešKajJeš application will help
young people to healthier everyday choices. It may lead them to a more
conscious and balanced way of eating, as they will be able to select and
compare food at the point of sale by simply scanning the barcode. Its use
is simple, fast, and the information is given in an understandable way.
Key words: mobile application, healthy choices, declaration, dietary traffic
light
