Effects of nutrient claims on consumer purchasing of snacks in white-collar and blue-collar working environments

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine nutrient claims signage on the purchasing of snacks in corporate foodservice operations. The effectiveness of claims among foodservice operations serving primarily administrative roles (white-collar) were compared with those serving primarily manufacturing roles (blue-collar). An experimental study was conducted through the implementation of six nutrient claims evaluated by a group of registered dietitians. The snack items were conveniently placed near the cash register to “nudge” purchases, and sales of snacks before and after the implementation of claims were examined. Paired-samples t-tests indicated that after nutrient claims were implemented, sales of snacks increased in both groups. Blue-collar snack purchases increased by 79.8% after the six claims were implemented, and white-collar snack purchases increased by 33.2%. Results indicate that nutrient claims that had a significant impact on sales differed between the two groups.