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Objective: To examine longitudinal trends in use of nutrition information among Canadians. Design: Population-based telephone and Internet surveys. Setting and Participants: Representative samples of Canadian adults recruited with random-digit dialing sampling in 2004 (n = 2,405) and 2006 (n = 2,014) and an online commercial panel in 2008 (n = 2,001). Main Outcome Measures: Sociodemographic predictors of label use, use of nutrition information sources, and nutrient content information. Analysis: Linear and logistic regression models to examine predictors and changes over time. Results: Food product labels were the most common source of nutritional information in 2008 (67%), followed by the Internet (51%) and magazines/newspapers (43%). The Internet was the only source to significantly increase during the study period (odds ratio = 1.39; P less than 0.001); however, the frequency of reading food product labels increased since 2004. Food selection based on trans fat increased significantly in 2006 (odds ratio = 1.43; P less than 0.001) after mandatory labeling of trans fat on packaged foods. Taste and nutrition were consistently the primary factors guiding food choice. Conclusions and Implications: Food product labels and the Internet are nutrition information sources with broad reach. More comprehensive labeling regulations were associated with increased use of labels and nutrient information over time. (Contains 3 tables and 4 figures.)

In many parts of the world, food companies, consumers, and governments are re-examining the provision of nutrition information on food labels. It is important that the nutrition information provided be appropriate and understandable to the consumer and that it impact food-choice behaviors. Potentially, food labeling represents a valuable tool to help consumers make informed decisions about their diet and lifestyle. Food information organizations worldwide have been following consumer trends in the use of this information as well as consumer attitudes about food, nutrition, and health. This paper summarizes a workshop that examined consumer attitudes gathered regionally with the aim of establishing commonalities and differences.

The author discusses the findings of an ethnographic study, which revealed a large gap existing between what Canadians are actually eating and what they have been recommended to eat. She states that the study collected lifestyle information on eating habits of participants with tools such as a food diary, photo assays and a questionnaire. She highlights the results of the study, which also reveal the impact of non-food variables on eating habits.