The comprehension and use of UK nutrition signpost labelling schemes
Summary
A team based in the Food, Consumer Behaviour and Health Research Centre are working with BMRB on a project for the Food Standards Agency to evaluate the impact of front-of-pack nutrition signpost labelling schemes on consumer purchasing behaviour and knowledge. The research focuses on a comparative analysis of the three main labelling approaches currently being used in the UK.
These are:
- monochrome schemes that provide information on the percentage of guideline daily amount (GDA).
- the traffic light colour-coded schemes that indicate nutrient levels.
- schemes that provide a traffic light colour code and percentage of GDA.
The main goal is to establish which scheme(s), or elements of the scheme(s), best enable consumers to make informed choices about the foods they purchase.
Funder
Team
Researchers
Dr Julie Barnett
Researcher
Professor Richard Shepherd
Emeritus Professor of Psychology
Biography
Richard Shepherd is an Emeritus Professor of Psychology, having retired in August 2011. He obtained degrees in Natural Sciences from Cambridge and in Psychology from Cardiff and Southampton. He was a Research Fellow at the University of Surrey and then worked at the Institute of Food Research from 1982 to 1998, initially in Norwich and then in Reading, before joining the University of Surrey as a Reader.
He has carried out research on a range of issues related to the factors influencing food choice. In particular this has involved the development and application of social cognition models to food choice issues and the exploration of the factors influencing dietary change. He has also conducted research on the perception of risk and risk communication particularly in relation to food issues. He has published widely in all of these areas of research, including editing two books.
He has directed research funded by BBSRC, ESRC, MAFF, FSA, Wellcome Trust and industry, in addition to several collaborative European projects funded by the EU. He is a Chartered Psychologist and a Fellow of the British Psychological Society. In the past Richard has been a member of the UK Food Standards Agency Social Science Research Committee, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) Social Science Expert Advisory Group and the ESRC Grant Assessment Panel.
Professor Monique Raats
Co-Director, Institute for Sustainability; Professor; Director of the Food, Consumer Behaviour and Health Research Centre
Biography
I am a founding Co-Director of the University's Institute for Sustainability, and director of the Food, Consumer Behaviour and Health (FCBH) Research Centre. Together with the university’s Department of Nutritional Sciences, FCBH was awarded the prestigious 2017/2018 Queen’s Anniversary Prize. FCBH research domains include:
- food-related behaviour and policy interventions to achieve sustainable and healthy lifestyles;
- social, policy and ethical issues relevant to the grand societal challenges such as sustainability and obesity;
- study of food systems from the perspective of significant actors and stakeholders within the system; and
- methodologically advancing food consumer science through exploring novel data sources and methods of data linking.
I previously worked at the Institute of Food Research (now Quadram Institute), Health Education Authority and University of Oxford. My expertise is in the area of public health and behavioural nutrition research, gained on a variety of projects. My research is wide ranging both in terms of topics covered (e.g. food choice, policy development, food safety) and methodologies used (e.g. qualitative, quantitative, stakeholder consultation). I have also been involved in the evaluation of health promotion programmes and developing tools for use in nutrition education. To date I have published over 145 refereed papers, numerous non-refereed publications including 20 book chapters 20 book chapters and have edited two books ("The Psychology of Food Choice" (2006) and "Food for the Ag(e)ing Population" (1st edition 2009; 2nd edition 2016).
From 2011 until June 2018 I was a member of UK's Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) and also a member of the Subgroup on Maternal and Child Nutrition (SMCN) from 2012 until June 2018.
I am one of the founding members, member of the Board of Directors (2001-2006) and was secretary (2004-2006) of the International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. The society was set up to combine interests in diet and physical activity; and to stimulate, promote and advocate innovative research and policy in the area. The society now plays an important role in fostering excellence in research in this field through its annual meetings and journal called the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity.
Professor Lada Timotijevic
Head of Psychological Sciences; Deputy Director of the Food, Consumer Behaviour and Health Research Centre
Biography
A social psychologist by training, Lada leads pioneering research on the governance of food innovation systems, responsible research and innovation, and digital data systems for food and health infrastructures. Lada has led or contributed to 16 major funded projects, securing over £5 million in research income, and collaborates extensively across disciplines and sectors, shaping European and UK food and health research agendas.
Her expertise spans food and health practices, citizen engagement and citizen science, food policy, risk perception and communication, and food citizenship. Her work aligns with sustainability and public good, supporting SDGs on Zero Hunger, Good Health, and Responsible Consumption. Internationally recognised for her citizen engagement approaches, including citizens’ juries and serious games, she embeds ethical reflexivity and societal perspectives into research and innovation.
Lada actively supports early career researchers, fostering interdisciplinary, impactful work that bridges science and policy. She has published widely in high-impact journals and is Deputy Director of the international Food Nutrition Health Research Infrastructure, contributing to responsible data systems for food and health research. She welcomes collaborations advancing healthy, sustainable, and just food systems.
Dr Victoria Senior
Researcher
Dr Moira Dean
Researcher
Outputs
Publications
Malam S, Clegg S, Kirwan S, McGinigal S, Raats M, Shepherd R, Barnett J, Senior V, Hodgkins C, Dean M (2009) Comprehension and use of UK nutrition signpost labelling schemes. London: Food Standards Agency.
BMRB Social Research & University of Surrey (2008) Comprehension and use of UK nutrition signpost labelling schemes: Scientific Rationale and Design. London: Food Standards Agency.
Research groups and centres
Our research is supported by research groups and centres of excellence.