Including “Added Sugars” on the Nutrition Facts Panel: How Consumers Perceive the Proposed Change

This study evaluated how consumers perceive the proposed inclusion of “Added Sugars” on the Nutrition Facts Panel (NFP). Through qualitative interviews and a national survey of 1,088 adults, researchers found that many consumers misunderstood the meaning of “Added Sugars,” often believing it was in addition to total sugars rather than part of it. This confusion persisted even among self-identified label readers and influenced product perceptions and purchase intent. The authors suggest that while the intent of improved transparency is valuable, added sugar labeling may lead to misinterpretation without additional consumer education.

Laquatra I, Sollid K, Smith Edge M, Pelzel J, Turner J. Including “added sugars” on the Nutrition Facts Panel: How consumers perceive the proposed change. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2015;115(11):1758-1763. doi:10.1016/j.jand.2015.04.017.