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Food SelectionSUPERNETNCT02769455

Online Experimental Supermarket

A study testing Reference intakes and 5-CNL in people with Food Selection, run by University of Paris 13 at 1 site in France.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

Front-Of-Pack (FOP) nutrition labelling, providing simplified information on nutritional content at a glance, in order to help consumer make informed choices, has been identified as of major interest by public health specialists of many countries. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Food Selection
What is being tested?
Reference intakes and 5-CNL
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
6,000 participants
Where
1 siteFrance
Study dates
Aug 2016to Jul 2017
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Subjects 30-50 years old
  • Having finished their studies and currently active (either working or unemployed)
  • Income/UC <1200€/month
  • Subject 18-25 years old
  • Self-declared as student
  • Subjects >50 years-old
  • Diagnosed with one or more of the following chronic conditions (self-reported) : type 2 diabetes, dislipidemia (elevated cholesterol levels, low HDL cholesterol levels, elevated triglycerides levels), hypertension, cardiovascular disease, obesity

Who cannot join

  • Student, retired
  • Subjects living outside of mainland France
  • Subjects never engaging in grocery shopping
  • TRIAL N°2
  • Subjects never engaging in grocery shopping
  • TRIAL N°3
  • Subjects declaring suffering from none of the mentioned chronic conditions
  • Subjects never engaging in grocery shopping

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

France1 site
  • Equipe de Recherche en Epidémiologie Nutritionnelle

    Bobigny, 93017

Other trials in France

About this study

Official title: Impact of front-of Pack Nutrition Labels on Purchase Intentions in an Online Supermarket-A Series of Randomized Trials

Front-Of-Pack (FOP) nutrition labelling, providing simplified information on nutritional content at a glance, in order to help consumer make informed choices, has been identified as of major interest by public health specialists of many countries. French health authorities are currently considering the endorsement of a FOP nutrition label, but no specific format has yet been determined. A more simplified FOP nutrition label has been put forward in France, the 5-Colour Nutrition Label (5-CNL). Recent data suggests that the 5-CNL FOP label is well perceived and understood by consumers. The introduction of a FOP nutrition labelling system has been identified as challenging in certain population groups, due to their lower level of nutrition knowledge and unhealthier diets.

The aim of the investigators is to evaluate the impact of FOP nutrition labels on the nutritional quality of the shopping cart in an online experimental supermarket in various nutritionally at-risk populations. Two FOP systems will be tested to a control situation without FOP labelling: the Reference Intakes (RI), currently in use by some manufacturers and present in a portion of food products sold in France, and the 5-Colour Nutrition Label (5-CNL).

Three 3 arm parallel arm randomized trials are designed, each targeting a specific population. The methodology and interventions are identical across trials. Trials will be conducted in: 1) Working adults between 30-50 years old with low income, 2) Students and 3) Older subjects with identified chronic diseases. The intervention consists in the application of FOP nutrition labels on all food products, either the RI label, currently in use in some products in France, and the 5-CNL label. A control situation with no FOP will also be used. Participants will be asked to perform a shopping session in an experimental online supermarket, in one of the three experimental conditions described. The main outcome will be the overall nutritional quality of the shopping cart, assessed using the mean Food Standards Agency Nutrient profiling system score of the items in the shopping cart.

Read the detailed description

Front-Of-Pack (FOP) nutrition labelling, providing simplified information on nutritional content at a glance, in order to help consumer make informed choices, has been identified as of major interest by public health specialists of many countries. Modelling studies suggested that adoption of effective nutrition labelling would be cost-effective and provide health benefits. French health authorities are currently considering the endorsement of a FOP nutrition label, but no specific format has yet been determined. A more simplified FOP nutrition label has been put forward in France, the 5-Colour Nutrition Label (5-CNL). Recent data suggests that the 5-CNL FOP label is well perceived and understood by consumers. Moreover, a recent randomized trial, based on an online experimental supermarket, showed that the 5-CNL displayed the highest difference in nutritional quality compared to the control situation. The introduction of a FOP nutrition labelling system has been identified as challenging in certain population groups, due to their lower level of nutrition knowledge and unhealthier diets. Subjects with lower levels of income, or the young appear as a key target in which the impact of FOP nutrition labels has been poorly explored. Moreover, the impact of such a label on subjects suffering from a chronic condition for which dietary modifications are part of the treatment should be carefully considered, in order to avoid potential undesirable effects of the label in these populations.

The aim of the investigators is to evaluate the impact of FOP nutrition labels on the nutritional quality of the shopping cart in an online experimental supermarket in various nutritionally at-risk populations. Two FOP systems will be tested to a control situation without FOP labelling: the Reference Intakes (RI), currently in use by some manufacturers and present in a portion of food products sold in France, and the 5-Colour Nutrition Label (5-CNL).

Three 3 arm parallel arm randomized trials are designed, each targeting a specific population. The methodology and interventions are identical across trials. Trials will be conducted in: 1) Working adults between 30-50 years old with low income, 2) Students and 3) Older subjects with identified chronic diseases. The intervention consists in the application of FOP nutrition labels on all food products, either the RI label, currently in use in some products in France, and the 5-CNL label. A control situation with no FOP will also be used. Participants will be asked to perform a shopping session in an experimental online supermarket, in one of the three experimental conditions described. The main outcome will be the overall nutritional quality of the shopping cart, assessed using the mean Food Standards Agency Nutrient profiling system score of the items in the shopping cart.

Conditions
Food Selection
Being tested
Reference intakes, 5-CNL
Keywords
Food Labelling
Medical subject headings
Food Preferences

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Reference intakesOther

    FOP nutrition label which is already in use on a portion of food products in France: the 'Reference Intakes' (RIs). The RIs are a chain of rectangles presenting the contribution of a portion of the product to a reference balanced diet of an average person (2000kcal) for each of the following nutrients: energy, lipids, saturated fat, sugars and sodium.

    The presentation of the products will always include the label affixed on it. Moreover, the product pages will include two pictures of the product: one with only the package (including the RI as FOP labelling), and a picture with both the package and a larger version of the label, so that it is more visible to the participant. These elements ensure higher visibility, awareness and understanding of the label.

  • 5-CNLOther

    The 5-CNL was developed as a colour-coded summary system nutrition label, following the elements pointed out in reviews.

    The format includes five categories, ranging from green (Associated with the A grade) for foods of the highest nutritional quality to red (associated with the E grade), for products with lower nutritional quality. The format is presented in the form of a continuous chain of rectangles, each with its own letter/colour, the one corresponding to the product being enlarged.

    The presentation of the products will always include the label affixed on it. Two pictures of the product will be included: one with only the package (including the 5-CNL as FOP labelling), and a picture with both the package and a larger version of the label, so that it is more visible to the participant.

Study groups in NCT02769455
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
ControlNo interventionThe control group will not be exposed to any FOP nutrition labels
Front-of-pack labelling (Reference Intakes)ExperimentalThe second group will be exposed to a FOP nutrition label which is already in use on a portion of food products in France: the 'Reference Intakes' (RIs). The RIs are presented in the form of a chain of rectangles presenting the contribution of a portion of the product to a reference balanced diet of an average person (2000kcal) for each of the following nutrients: energy, lipids, saturated fat, sugars and sodium.
Receives: Other: Reference intakes
Front-of-pack labelling (5-CNL)ExperimentalThe 5-CNL was developed as a colour-coded summary system nutrition label, following the elements pointed out in reviews. The format of the 5-CNL system therefore includes five categories of nutritional quality of food products, ranging from green (Associated with the A grade) for foods of the highest nutritional quality to red (associated with the E grade), for products with lower nutritional quality. The format is presented in the form of a continuous chain of rectangles, each with its own letter/colour, the letter/colour corresponding to the product being enlarged.
Receives: Other: 5-CNL

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. FSA Score

    Mean nutritional quality of the items in the shopping cart, using the mean Food Standards Agency nutrient profiling system (FSA score) of the items in the shopping cart. The FSA score for foods and beverages is computed taking into account nutrient content for 100g. It allocates positive points (0-10) for content in energy (KJ), total sugar (g), saturated fatty acids (g) and sodium (mg). Negative points (0-5) are allocated to content in fruits, vegetables, legumes and nuts (%), fibers (g) and proteins (g). Scores for foods and beverages were therefore based on a discrete continuous scale from -15 (most healthy) to +40 (less healthy). Modifications to the original score were used in order to ensure a higher consistency with French nutritional recommendations for beverages, cheese and added fats

    Measured: 3 months

Secondary outcomes (7)
  1. Calories (/100g)

    Mean calorie density of the items in the shopping cart. Calorie content per 100g for each item is taken into account. No weighing on total energy or weight of the shopping cart.

    Measured: 3 months

  2. Saturates (g/100g)

    Mean saturated fat content of the items in the shopping cart. Saturates content per 100g for each item is taken into account. No weighing on total energy or weight of the shopping cart.

    Measured: 3 months

  3. Sugar (g/100g)

    Mean sugar content of the items in the shopping cart. Sugar content per 100g for each item is taken into account. No weighing on total energy or weight of the shopping cart.

    Measured: 3 months

  4. Sodium (mg/100g)

    Mean sodium content of the items in the shopping cart. Sodium content per 100g for each item is taken into account. No weighing on total energy or weight of the shopping cart.

    Measured: 3 months

  5. Fibers (g/100g)

    Mean fiber content of the items in the shopping cart. Fiber content per 100g for each item is taken into account. No weighing on total energy or weight of the shopping cart.

    Measured: 3 months

  6. Proteins (g/100g)

    Mean protein content of the items in the shopping cart. Protein content per 100g for each item is taken into account. No weighing on total energy or weight of the shopping cart.

    Measured: 3 months

  7. Fruits and vegetables (%/100g)

    Mean fruit and vegetables content of the items in the shopping cart. Fruits and vegetables content per 100g for each item is taken into account. No weighing on total energy or weight of the shopping cart.

    Measured: 3 months

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted11 May 2016 (estimated)
  2. Study startAug 2016
  3. Primary completionMay 2017
  4. Study completionJul 2017

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Other
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
6,000 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT02769455
Sponsor's protocol ID
SM2
Acronym
SUPERNET
Status last verified
Sep 2017
First submitted
9 May 2016
Last updated
3 Oct 2017
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Egnell M, Boutron I, Peneau S, Ducrot P, Touvier M, Galan P, Fezeu L, Porcher R, Ravaud P, Hercberg S, Kesse-Guyot E, Julia C. Impact of the Nutri-Score front-of-pack nutrition label on purchasing intentions of individuals with chronic diseases: results of a randomised trial. BMJ Open. 2022 Aug 29;12(8):e058139. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-058139.

    PubMed 36038180
  • Egnell M, Galan P, Fialon M, Touvier M, Peneau S, Kesse-Guyot E, Hercberg S, Julia C. The impact of the Nutri-Score front-of-pack nutrition label on purchasing intentions of unprocessed and processed foods: post-hoc analyses from three randomized controlled trials. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2021 Mar 17;18(1):38. doi: 10.1186/s12966-021-01108-9.

    PubMed 33731145
  • Egnell M, Boutron I, Peneau S, Ducrot P, Touvier M, Galan P, Buscail C, Porcher R, Ravaud P, Hercberg S, Kesse-Guyot E, Julia C. Randomised controlled trial in an experimental online supermarket testing the effects of front-of-pack nutrition labelling on food purchasing intentions in a low-income population. BMJ Open. 2021 Feb 8;11(2):e041196. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041196.

    PubMed 33558350

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Reference intakes and 5-CNL in people with Food Selection, run by University of Paris 13 at 1 site in France.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 7 inclusion and 8 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 3 Oct 2017. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in France. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

FSA Score (time frame: 3 months). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT02769455, which also lists 3 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 3 Oct 2017.

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