Awareness and Self-Reported Effects of the Innovative Mexican Front-of-Package Nutrition Labeling Policy Among Mexican Americans Across Different US Regions, Health Literacy Levels, and Educational Attainment, 2021-2023.

Abstract

PurposeEvaluate trends and correlates of self-reported awareness of and responses to front-of-package warning labels (FoPWLs) on packaged Mexican foods among Mexican Americans (MAs) in the United States (US).DesignInternational Food Policy Study annual cross-sectional surveys (2021, 2022, 2023).SettingOnline survey.SampleMA adults in the US (n = 9662).MeasuresSelf-reported past-month frequency of buying food at Mexican-oriented stores (recoded: often/very often vs less often), awareness of Mexican FoPWLs (recoded: often/very often vs less often), and self-reported reductions in purchasing less healthy foods (yes vs no for eight foods) due to FoPWLs.AnalysisAdjusted logistic models regressed binary outcomes (above) on sociodemographics and survey year.ResultsMost participants bought food in Mexican-oriented stores (87.2%). Of those who noticed Mexican FoPWLs (67.6%), many reported that FoPWLs influenced them to reduce purchasing less healthy foods (range = 31.1% [snacks like chips] to 43.9% [cola]). In adjusted models, noticing FoPWLs often/very often (vs less often) increased over time (AOR_{2022 vs 2021} = 1.30; AOR_{2023 vs 2021} = 1.21), as did self-reported reductions in purchasing sweetened fruit drinks (AOR_{2022 vs 2021} = 1.27), and desserts (AOR_{2022 vs 2021} = 1.32). People with limited vs adequate health literacy reported higher awareness of FoPWLs (AOR = 1.21).ConclusionMAs' awareness and reported effects of Mexican FoPWLs were high and stable or increased over time, with greater awareness among those with limited health literacy.