University Student's Knowledge, Practices, and Perceptions of Food Packaging Labels in Bangladesh: A Cross-Sectional Study

Food packaging labels play a crucial role in ensuring consumer safety and aiding informed decision-making. However, in Bangladesh, limited research exists on students' understanding and use of food packaging labels. This cross-sectional study assessed the knowledge, practices, and consumer preferences of food labeling among 397 students from various public and private universities across Bangladesh. A self-administered questionnaire, developed based on food safety regulations, was used for data collection. The study employed convenience sampling, and data analysis was conducted using SPSS 27.0, including descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and Spearman's rho correlation to evaluate relationships between knowledge and practices. The study found that 74.8% of students had adequate knowledge of food labeling, with high awareness of “Expiry Date” and “Nutritional Information,” but limited understanding of “Batch Number” and “Packaging Symbols”. Only 44.3% demonstrated good labeling practices, with gaps in checking “Best Before” dates, allergen content, and barcodes. Gender and residential background significantly influenced knowledge and practices (p < 0.001), with females and urban students performing better. A significant positive correlation (r_s = 0.524, p < 0.01) indicated that higher knowledge led to better practices. Consumer preferences emphasized food protection, quality, and sustainability, with Kraft/Carton as the preferred packaging material. Although students possess sufficient knowledge, their labeling practices remain lacking, highlighting the need for targeted educational initiatives and policy measures to address this gap and encourage more informed food choices.