• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.181-190
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to suggest strategies for effective food allergen labeling in order to prevent food allergies in school meal service. Food allergy experience, eating behavior, and perceptions of food allergen labeling in school meal service were surveyed and compared according to the food allergy experiences of middle school girls in Incheon. Seventy-eight students (17% of total subjects) experienced food allergies. For eating behaviors, students with food allergy experience had significantly higher scores for using nutritional knowledge in their life than inexperienced subjects. For the perception of food allergen labeling in school meal service, girls who had experienced food allergies more often checked labeling of school meals for allergenic foods than those who had no experience of food allergies (P<0.001). The most desirable method for displaying allergenic foods was an indication of the allergenic food name among students who had experienced food allergies and allergenic food number of the current method for students who had not experienced food allergies (P<0.001). Students who had not experienced food allergies showed significantly lower interest in food allergen labeling than subjects who had experienced food allergies (P<0.001). For the importance score of information items in nutrition labeling, allergenic food score was significantly higher in students who had experienced food allergies (3.9 vs. 3.4 points, P<0.001). These results indicate that students who have experienced food allergies are more interested in food allergen labeling of school meals and that they are more aware. Efforts to improve labeling method such as directly labeling allergenic food name and a more visible indication are required for efficient utilization of food allergen labeling in school meal service.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.796-806
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• 2012

This study was conducted to investigate dietary attitude, and nutritional knowledge of middle school students in Gwangju and examine their perception and utilization of food labeling systems. The total and mean dietary attitude scores were 75 and 49.47, respectively. The total and mean nutrition knowledge scores were 15 and 10.88, respectively. Girls showed significantly higher nutrition knowledge than boys (p<0.01). Overall, 62.9% of respondents checked food labeling, and there were significant differences in dietary attitudes among groups that did and did not checking labeling (p<0.001), with higher dietary attitude being associated with checking the label. Moreover, higher nutritional knowledge was associated with checking the food label. Individuals who checked the food label considered the expiration date (54.9%), product name (14.4%) and price (10.2%). The main reasons for checking food labeling were (in descending order) to confirm the expiration date (61.6%), determine the ingredients and nutritional information, learn how to store the product, and compare the price and weight with other products. The overall satisfaction with the food labeling system was 16.20 out of 30, and significant differences (p<0.001) were observed among individuals with high, moderate and low dietary attitudes, as indicated by satisfaction scores of 17.54, 16.32 and 14.86, respectively. Individuals with high, moderate and low dietary attitudes had nutritional knowledge scores of 15.79, 16.08, and 17.08 respectively. The overall score for understanding nutrition labeling was 4.71 out of 7, and the understanding differed significantly among groups (p<0.01), with those with moderate food attitudes having the highest score.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.379-393
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• 2011

This study compared the college students' dietary behavior for processed foods, who will be the main consumers in the future and looked for the measures to understand and establish the right food labeling system by surveying the level of understanding and utilization of food labeling. The data was analysed by SPSS win 17.0 program, and the results are as follows. For the standard of selecting processed foods, the group with high nutrition knowledge considered the reliability of foods as important and the group with low nutrition knowledge considered the products introduced in TV commercial as important. When purchasing processed foods, the group with high nutrition knowledge considered nutrition, taste, price, appearance(shape), and the consumable period more than the group with low nutrition knowledge. For trans fat, the group with high nutrition knowledge learned more about it than the group with low nutrition knowledge. The ratio of confirming food nutrition label was higher in the group with high nutrition knowledge. Regarding the level of confirming individual food labels, the highest level was for milk and dairy products. And there was significant difference for the processed products of meat, cookies, bread and noodles. It was found that the level of confirmation was higher in the group with high nutrition knowledge. And the most important indication for individual food product was the consumable period. To preserve the purchased foods, the group with high nutrition knowledge preserve the foods in line with the description written on the food cover sheet, and this group used to return or exchange the products when they found them spoiled or purchased by mistake. The group with high nutrition knowledge knew more about the nutrition indication than the group with low nutrition knowledge. The necessity of nutrition indication for processed foods and the need of education and PR(Public Relation) were acknowledged higher in the group with high nutrition knowledge. For the effect of nutrition indication, it showed that the group with high nutrition knowledge thought it would improve the quality and the group with low nutrition knowledge thought it would be helpful when comparing the product with others. The group with high nutrition knowledge showed higher understanding level about nutrition indication than the group with low nutrition knowledge.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.297-306
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of diabetes has continued to increase globally. Changes in eating habits, lack of exercise, increased stress, and aging are major contributors. Glycemic control is the key strategy of diabetes management. The purpose of this study was to analyze the utilization of nutrition labels and related factors among patients with diabetes. MATERIALS/METHODS: Data from the 7th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used. General, health-related, diabetes-related characteristics from 1,587 adults with diabetes history were included. Nutrition label utilization was assessed with awareness and use of nutrition labels and effects on food choice. For statistical analyses, chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analysis were performed. RESULTS: The prevalence of awareness, use, and effects of nutrition labels on food choice among diabetic patients were 48.8%, 11.4%, and 9.6%, respectively. High monthly income, walking frequency, family history of diabetes, younger age at diagnosis, and shorter duration of diabetes were associated with higher nutrition label awareness. Nutrition label use and effect on food choice were higher in women, those with high monthly income, those diagnosed at younger than 45 yrs, those with diabetes for less than 10 yrs, those with meal therapy, or patients who had undergone a fundus examination. CONCLUSIONS: Nutrition label utilization status was low in Korean patients with diabetes. Strategies are needed to promote nutrition label use as a diet management tool for patients with diabetes.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.193-205
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• 2014

Purpose: This study was conducted in order to investigate nutrient and food intake status and dietary quality in Korean adults according to nutrition label utilization. Methods: We analyzed data from the combined 2010-2011 KNHANES (Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey). The analysis included 8190 adults aged 19 to 64 years. In this study, according to nutrition label utilization, we classified the subjects according to the "non-utilization of nutrition label (NUNL)" group (male, n = 2716, female, n = 3147), "identification of nutrition label (INL)" group (male, n = 143, female, n = 330), and "Utilization of nutrition label (UNL)" group (male, n = 363, female, n = 1491). Nutrient and food group intake, NAR (nutrient adequacy ratio), MAR (mean adequacy ratio), and INQ (index of nutritional quality) were analyzed using data from the 24-recall method. Results: Results of this study showed that subjects in the NUNL group were significantly more likely to drink alcohol compared with the other two groups. The NUNL group showed a significantly higher frequency of consuming instant noodles, Soju (male), and carbonated drink (female) than the UNL group, whereas the NUNL group showed a significantly lower frequency of consuming milk, soymilk, and yogurt than the UNL group. In addition, regarding diet quality (NAR and INQ), significantly lower vitamin $B_2$, vitamin C, and calcium was observed in the NUNL group compared with the UNL group. For both male and female, significantly higher MAR was observed in the UNL group than in the NUNL group. The NUNL group showed significantly lower consumption of milk compared to the UNL group. Conclusion: Good dietary practice such as referring to nutrition labels and its influence can affect the quality of nutritional intake and selection of food, while it can also provide basic data for specific nutrition education regarding use of nutrition labeling.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.559-568
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• 2008

Even though snacks or meals purchased by teenagers have dramatically increased in Korea, it has not been investigated whether teenagers know and take notice of the nutrition label. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the usefulness and utilization of food and nutrition labels amongst teenagers. Questionnaires were distributed 814 of junior-high school students and were completed by self-administrated questionnaires. Questionnaires included questions regarding general characteristics, perception and utilization of food and nutrition labels and degree of necessity and satisfaction on food products and nutrition labels. Data was analyzed with regards to sex and school year by using a SAS package program. Significant differences of each variable were tested by using the $x^2$-test, t-test and ANOVA. Only 4.4% of participants were well informed about food and nutrition labels, while 26.0% of them did not know about it. Most of participants(78%) perceived that food and nutrition labeling system is necessary but are not satisfied with it. More of them did not check the food and nutrition label when they purchased food. Students usually checked the food and nutrition label to know about the nutritional value, and additives. The survey showed that more than three quarters of participants take notice of the food and nutrition label on products whereas only 57.7% of them knew what the food and nutrition actually meant. This study showed that most teenagers did not know the food and nutrition label, didn't have right information and didn't use it. Therefore, it is necessary to include an educational program about the food and nutrition label in the school curriculum and that will help students use the nutrition label and help them choose healthy food.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.948-953
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• 1999

The objective of this study was to contribute to the enhancement of food labeling and the development of food labels which are more informative to consumers. The questionnaires had been collected from adult female consumers living in Seoul, Kyonggi, Choongnam and Chungbuk province. Out of 950 answers collected 792 were analyzed. Ninety two percent of respondents were aware of food labels, however only 67.6% of them knew about the fact that food labeling was regulated by the law. Respondents recognized the major purpose of food labeling as informing and protecting the consumer. Most of the respondents answered that they confirmed the contents of food labels at the time of purchase especially with regard to safety aspects, such as expiration on data and manufacture date. Eighty four percent of the respon dents showed confidence in the contents of food labels.The rests answered they were hot confident because they experienced directly, or indirectly discord of food contents in fact and in label.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.275-291
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• 1998

Food irradiation is an emerging technology which offers many advantages such as reduction of microorganisms, extension of shelf-life of foods, reduction in the use of post-harvest chemicals, and destruction of insects and parasites. The commercial utilization of food irradiation, however, has been restricted because of the uncertainty of consumers' responses to it. Because success of food irradiation in the marketplace will depend upon their acceptability by consumers, this study focused on the consumers' perception and acceptance toward food irradiation in order to get basic data for commercial utilization of food irradiation and give information to consumers to help rational consumption behavior. The survey with 411 respondents living in Youngnam area was conducted during the spring of 1997 by the questionnaires. The results and implications from this study are as follows. First, consumers' knowledge about food irradiation is scanty. Two-thirds of respondents in the survey had not heard of irradiated foods and many people confused irradiation with radioactivity. In the willingness to accept food irradiation, one-third of respondents showed a wait-and-see attitude. This result indicated consumers had insufficient information about the irradiation process and nationwide education of food irradiation technology should be undertaken. Second, although the purchase and use of food are very important consumption behaviors, consumer education by mass communication has been rarely done. For the successful commercialization of food irradiation, the information provision by mass communication for the consumers should be made. Third, consumers generally worried about residual pesticide and intended to purchase irradiated foods if radioactivity was not retained in the foods. Therefore, food irradiation could be an alternative method to the use of pesticide Fourth, consumers pointed out that they wanted to extend shelf-life of milk and dairy foods, fish and seafood and to irradiate these foods. Therefore, research for the safety of irradiated foods should be continually conducted. finally, labeling for irradiated foods is needed to provide the information and to further increase public understanding. Especially, the labeling should show the definite reason why irradiation is being used. In conclusion, recently, under the circumstances that the commercial utilization of food irradiation and irradiation for the import and export products have been increased in many countries, many efforts are needed to improve the quality of irradiated foods, and prove the safety of them in Korea. In addition, consumer education for food irradiation should be given to help consumers to make decision for food purchase and use.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.437-444
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• 2016

This study was carried out to investigate food label perception and utilization classified by age and sex. Questionnaires were collected from 938 male and female customers aged in their 20's to 50's from February 4th to March 30th 2014. Regarding checking food labels at the time of purchase, 73.8% of consumers checked food labels, and there was a significant difference by age and sex. Female more often checked food labels than males, and the 40's group showed a higher ratio of checking food labels than other age groups. The main reason for checking food label was 'confirming expiration date' (60%), 'ingredients' (16.4%), and 'nutrition contents' (13.7%). The main reason not checking food labels was 'too small and insufficient to understand' (50.3%), 'too difficult to understand' (16.4%), and 'have no concern' (14.9%). There was a significant difference by age, as in the 50's group showed a higher ratio of 'too small and insufficient to understand' than the other age groups, and 20's and 30's groups showed a higher ratio of 'too difficult to understand'. The overall satisfaction score was 2.96, awareness score was 2.88, and reliability score was 2.93. A total of 96% answered that food labelling education is needed. Therefore, food labelling education for consumers is required to encourage consumers to purchase healthy foods.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.226-239
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to identify the problems related to the purchasing processes of school foodservices that should be corrected for the food service safety, by examining the purchasing processes and the status of supplier selection. A questionnaire was given to 300 dietitians working at self-operated food services. Ninety-eight responses, excluding incomplete answers, were used for the statistical analysis. The survey consisted of three parts: the general characteristics of the school foodservice and dietitian, purchasing processes and supplier selection, and the purchase specifications. We found that 84% of the contract was made by informal purchasing, and the contract period was 6 months or one year. For supplier selection, problems related to the document screening systems were the superficiality of the content(45.7%) and the absence or lack of clarity of the appraisal criteria(34.8%). The important factors for the facility and equipment standards of suppliers were included unclear evaluation methods for content(41.1%) and inappropriate appraisal lists(21.1%), while unclear evaluation methods for content(41.9%) and absence or lack of clarity of the appraisal criteria(20.4%) were the problems pertaining to the supplier evaluation checklist. When using the Food Labeling Standards to select suppliers, confirmation of the sell-by date and the storage method had the highest score at 3.85 out of 5. For supplier selection, only 25% of the contract was made by using the purchase specifications. The levels of satisfaction of with Kimchi and rice cakes suppliers were significantly different according to employment type and educational background, respectively. Depending on working experiences, satisfaction was significantly different for the use of document screening, as a standard for the selection and management of suppliers, and for the facility and equipment standards of suppliers, The use of purchase specifications was different by employment type, while the use of purchase specifications for contracts was different by working experience. These results imply that the specialization of suppliers is necessary to unsure food safety. Therefore, the objective methods to evaluate the suppliers should be developed by the government, and appropriate education programs for dietitians should be prepared to enhance the utilization of purchase specifications.