# Food labelling in India: a scoping review of consumer engagement, comprehension, and purchase behaviour

## TL;DR

This review explores how Indian consumers engage with food labels, finding that they focus more on price and expiry dates than nutritional information, and highlights the need for better label literacy and policy integration.

## Contribution

The study provides India-specific insights into food label engagement and proposes an integrated approach for improving label literacy and consumer decision-making.

## Key findings

- Indian consumers prioritize expiry date and price over nutritional information on food labels.
- There is a gap between label awareness and actual purchase behavior, influenced by socio-demographic factors and brand familiarity.
- Emerging technologies and policy convergence can enhance food label effectiveness globally.

## Abstract

Amid rising packaged food consumption in India and its associated health risks – including obesity and non-communicable diseases – this scoping review synthesised India-specific evidence on consumer awareness, comprehension, and behavioural responses to food labels on pre-packaged products. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews checklist and Arksey and O’Malley framework, five databases (PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and CINAHL) and Google Scholar were searched for peer-reviewed primary studies conducted in India between 2014 and 2024. Studies were included if they assessed food label literacy, interpretation, or use in purchase behaviour in Indian settings. Thirty-two studies were included, covering diverse populations and geographic settings. Bibliometric synthesis showed a predominance of cross-sectional knowledge, attitudes, and practices studies, with limited experimental or multidisciplinary research. Findings were organised into three analytical themes: a) determinants of food label literacy, including socio-demographic and cognitive factors; b) consumer perceptions of label components, their placement on packaging, visual appeal, and cognitive utility; and c) behavioural implications of label engagement and its perceived influence on purchase intentions. Evidence from this review highlights persistent gaps between label awareness, engagement, and purchase intentions. To inform policy and practice – and to advance Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Target 3.4 – reducing premature mortality from non-communicable diseases) & Goal 12 (Target 12.8 – promoting awareness and information access) – future research should prioritise experimental and implementation-focused designs tailored to India’s demographic, cultural, and market heterogeneity.

Main findings: Indian consumers prioritise expiry date and price over nutritional information, and given the reliance on self-reported behaviours, further research is needed to understand how socio-demographiic differences, brand familiarity, and affordability interact with food label engagement to shape actual purchase decisions.Added knowledge: India-specific evidence in this review highlights the need for an integrated approach to food label research, discussed through real-world examples of policy and programme convergence to enhance label literacy and foster informed consumer choices.Global health impact for policy and action: Emerging technologies, strategic policy convergence together with inter-sectoral collaborations to integrate food labels with nutrition, education, and sustainability initiatives—can bridge the global gap between consumer awareness, intention, and actual purchase decisions as well as to enable food labels to play a more influential role in supporting healthier, better informed, and sustainable choices worldwide.

Main findings: Indian consumers prioritise expiry date and price over nutritional information, and given the reliance on self-reported behaviours, further research is needed to understand how socio-demographiic differences, brand familiarity, and affordability interact with food label engagement to shape actual purchase decisions.

Added knowledge: India-specific evidence in this review highlights the need for an integrated approach to food label research, discussed through real-world examples of policy and programme convergence to enhance label literacy and foster informed consumer choices.

Global health impact for policy and action: Emerging technologies, strategic policy convergence together with inter-sectoral collaborations to integrate food labels with nutrition, education, and sustainability initiatives—can bridge the global gap between consumer awareness, intention, and actual purchase decisions as well as to enable food labels to play a more influential role in supporting healthier, better informed, and sustainable choices worldwide.