『식품등의 표시기준』의 소비자지향적 개선방안 연구

Abstract

This study explored how consumers are aware of current laws on Foods Labeling Standards and measured consumer preference on different types of current labeling and the one according to the revised laws. Ultimately, the study takes an effort to contribute to consumer-oriented food labeling standards and provide basic resources for consumer education by discussing problems in food labeling. To provide answers on research questions, the Internet survey was conducted on the study sample of 500 consumers. The results of statistical analysis are summarized as follows. First, consumers more often checked information such as expiration date, the date of manufacture, and price among various kinds of information on food packages. Consumers considered them more important. The Factor Analysis on 12 specific items showed that expiration date, the date of manufacture, and price information were the most basic items. Hence, there is a need for mandatory disclosure on manufacture date instead of leaving it to the manufacturers' discretion. Second, the result showed that the average score of consumer knowledge on Foods Labeling Standards was 7.82 (with the possible highest score of 19), while the average score of consumers knowledge on food label on the market was 5.35 (with the possible highest score of 8). Consumers tend to misunderstand the expiration date, the date of manufacture, and nutrient information. Third, consumers seemed to prefer graphic representation to verbal representation. The graphic representation in food labeling might be more effective for consumers to understand information on food labels easily. Fourth, consumers considered expiration date as the last day of consumption rather than the last date of sale. It might be better that both sale period and consumption period are written on package.