Conference abstract
Developing and testing front of package warning labels for Cameroon
Pan African Medical Journal - Conference Proceedings. 2023:17(1).04
Jun 2023.
doi: 10.11604/pamj-cp.2023.17.1.1841
Archived on: 04 Jun 2023
Contact the corresponding author
Keywords: Front of package warning labels, Cameroon, cardiovascular diseases, non communciable diseases
Plenary
Developing and testing front of package warning labels for Cameroon
Ferdinant M Sonyuy1,&, Emela Magha1, Nancy Bongkiynuy1, Robert N1, Edith Lem1, Courage Sevidzem2, Jean Claude Mbanya3
1Reconciliation and Development Association (RADA), PO Box 5196 Nkwen, Bamenda, Cameroon, 2Love Lead Research Center, Bamenda, Cameroon, 3Health of Populations in Transition Research Group, Cameroon
&Corresponding author
Introduction: thirty-five (35%) of annual deaths in Cameroon are due to non-communicable diseases. A modelling study has shown that if the WHO salt reduction target of 30% is achieved in Cameroon, 16.8% of deaths from Cardiovascular conditions will be averted. One of these strategies includes front-of-package (FoP) labels on packaged food products. The project designed and tested a potential front of Package warning Label for Cameroon and tested it to compare its impact on consumers with other types of front-of-package labels.
Methods: a qualitative study using 14 Focus Group Discussions made up of 8-12 individuals selected from the two regions of focus and their rural and semi-urban environs served to design FoP Warning labels against excess salt, sugars, saturated fats, and calories, which were validated by an expert panel. A five-arm randomized controlled trial, including a no-label (bar code) arm, served to test the actual effect on the population. Trained Research Assistants recruited, randomized, and then administered a tested questionnaire accompanied by showing the arm labels according to lay down protocol to respondents at purchase sites in the rural, semi-urban, and urban settings in Yaoundé and Bamenda. The data was gathered and analyzed by an independent research analyst to obtain the study's results.
Results: most Cameroonians are unfamiliar with the front of package labels. They mainly check expiry dates. Respondents had the intention to purchase unhealthy packaged food products regardless of whether the product had an FOP label. The results were not significant. Further analysis, however, showed that most of those who thought the product was unhealthy also said they would not buy it. Meanwhile, those who thought the product was healthy said they would buy it.
Conclusions: despite showing no significant results, the draft warning labels tested against other labels were comparatively best at indicating undesirable amounts of a nutrient of concern, decreasing the perceptions about the overall healthfulness of the unhealthy product and shifting purchase and consumption intentions. Legislation on front of package warning labels is encouraged, accompanied by a strong population education component to achieve greater positive health outcomes and longer life expectancy for Cameroonians.
Developing and testing front of package warning labels for Cameroon
Ferdinant M Sonyuy1,&, Emela Magha1, Nancy Bongkiynuy1, Robert N1, Edith Lem1, Courage Sevidzem2, Jean Claude Mbanya3
1Reconciliation and Development Association (RADA), PO Box 5196 Nkwen, Bamenda, Cameroon, 2Love Lead Research Center, Bamenda, Cameroon, 3Health of Populations in Transition Research Group, Cameroon
&Corresponding author
Introduction: thirty-five (35%) of annual deaths in Cameroon are due to non-communicable diseases. A modelling study has shown that if the WHO salt reduction target of 30% is achieved in Cameroon, 16.8% of deaths from Cardiovascular conditions will be averted. One of these strategies includes front-of-package (FoP) labels on packaged food products. The project designed and tested a potential front of Package warning Label for Cameroon and tested it to compare its impact on consumers with other types of front-of-package labels.
Methods: a qualitative study using 14 Focus Group Discussions made up of 8-12 individuals selected from the two regions of focus and their rural and semi-urban environs served to design FoP Warning labels against excess salt, sugars, saturated fats, and calories, which were validated by an expert panel. A five-arm randomized controlled trial, including a no-label (bar code) arm, served to test the actual effect on the population. Trained Research Assistants recruited, randomized, and then administered a tested questionnaire accompanied by showing the arm labels according to lay down protocol to respondents at purchase sites in the rural, semi-urban, and urban settings in Yaoundé and Bamenda. The data was gathered and analyzed by an independent research analyst to obtain the study's results.
Results: most Cameroonians are unfamiliar with the front of package labels. They mainly check expiry dates. Respondents had the intention to purchase unhealthy packaged food products regardless of whether the product had an FOP label. The results were not significant. Further analysis, however, showed that most of those who thought the product was unhealthy also said they would not buy it. Meanwhile, those who thought the product was healthy said they would buy it.
Conclusions: despite showing no significant results, the draft warning labels tested against other labels were comparatively best at indicating undesirable amounts of a nutrient of concern, decreasing the perceptions about the overall healthfulness of the unhealthy product and shifting purchase and consumption intentions. Legislation on front of package warning labels is encouraged, accompanied by a strong population education component to achieve greater positive health outcomes and longer life expectancy for Cameroonians.
