Food labelling use among adolescents and parents in Malta: implications for obesity policy

Background

Food labelling is a key strategy to promote healthier diets and address obesity, yet its effectiveness depends on consumer understanding, trust, and context. This NEXT-FOOD-MT study explored how adolescents (13–15 years) and their parents in Malta perceive and use food labelling.

Methods

Three qualitative focus groups with adolescents and parents were conducted using semi-structured interviews. Discussions covered use and understanding of front- and back-of-pack labels, and wider influences on food choice. Data were analysed thematically.

Results

Participants mainly relied on back-of-pack labels, seen as detailed but difficult to interpret. Awareness of front-of-pack labels (e.g. Nutri-Score) was limited, though colour-coded formats were viewed as intuitive when explained. Misunderstandings around nutritional information were common, alongside issues of readability and language. Trust was a key barrier, with concerns about misleading marketing (“they want to sell, in the end”). Despite recognising the value of labelling, food choices were driven primarily by price, habits, taste, packaging, and social influences. Healthier options were perceived as more expensive. Parents strongly influenced adolescents’ food literacy, while schools were seen as important but underutilised. In settings lacking clear information (e.g. vending machines), choices were based on assumptions, increasing misclassification of “healthy” foods.

Conclusions

Food labelling alone is insufficient to influence dietary behaviours within obesogenic environments. Effective obesity prevention requires policies mandating standardised, interpretive FOPL, improving label accessibility (e.g. language, readability), strengthening school-based food literacy, regulating misleading marketing, and addressing structural barriers such as affordability and availability of healthy foods.

Key messages

• Adolescents and parents struggle to interpret food labels, with low awareness of front-of-pack systems and reliance on price, habits, and marketing limiting their role in shaping healthier choices.

• Obesity prevention requires integrated policies combining simplified mandatory labelling, education, and structural changes addressing affordability and misleading food marketing.