Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate consumers' utilization and satisfaction of the current food labeling system, their awareness of the nutrition labeling and its necessity, and their acceptance of the future enforcement of nutrition labeling. Questionnaires were distributed to 500 adult female consumers in Northern area of Kyonggi-do. Out of 402 questionnaires collected 358(89.1%) were analyzed using SAS computer program. The findings of this study were as follow: First, in the aspects of consumers' utilization and satisfaction of the current food labeling system, although they payed much attention to the food labels when they purchased food goods, the degree of their satisfaction in food labels was low. Among items in food labels they payed more attention to the expiration date, the date of production, and the name of manufacturer. However, the current food labeling system does not offer sufficient and reliable informations to consumers. Second, in the awareness of nutrition labeling and its necessity, majority of consumers appeared not to have seen the nutrition labeling in food products either domestic or imported. However, 93% of respondents answered that nutrition labeling is necessary. Third, in terms of the consumers' acceptance of enforcement of nutrition labeling, they were affirmative in bearing the increased costs, and their expectation to the beneficial effects of enforcement of nutrition labeling was stronger than worrying about the disadvantages or side effects of it.

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