Perceived importance of warning labels among Mexican adults with non-communicable diseases.

OBJECTIVE

Identify the perceived importance of front-of-package warning labels in purchase decisions of industrialized food products among Mexican adults with self-reported noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Data from the 2021 Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey labeling and health questionnaires were analyzed. Logistic regression models adjusted for confounding variables and health data were used to estimate the mean predicted probability of considering each warning label (WL) as the most important.

RESULTS

Overall, 80.9% considered at least one WL important. The adjusted mean probabilities of considering each WL as the most important were 35.4% for "Excess sugar" and 9.0% for "Excess trans fat". Among participants with diabetes mellitus 2 (DM2), probabilities were 12.1 percentage points higher for "Excess sugar" and 3.1 percentage points lower for "Excess trans fat" than those without DM2.

CONCLUSION

WLs are widely considered in purchasing decisions of industrialized food products in Mexico, with perceived importance varying by nutrient and health condition, particularly among adults with DM2. These findings highlight the relevance of WLs as a policy tool to support informed decision-making, promote healthier food environments and comprehensive NCDs prevention and control strategies.