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KMID : 1012320010040010055
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Nutritional Sciences
2001 Volume.4 No. 1 p.55 ~ p.62
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A Study of the Nutrition Information on the Labels of Vitamin-Mineral Supplements and Consumer Use of this Information in Korea
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Chang Soon-Ok
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Abstract
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Consumers’frequent use of micronutrient supplements has caused concerns o possible overdoses and prompted the view that the appropriate provision of nutrition information on such supplements is needed. In this study the nutrition information on vitamin-mineral supplements in Korea was evaluated based on the labels on the supplements. Consumers’use, reliance on and demand for nutrition information were examined by self-administered questionnaire. Subjects were 1,203 middle-aged housewives. Under examination were 141 multinutrient products (86.6%) and single nutrient products (13.4%). Various names and units were used for the same nutrient and the labels were not informative to consumers. The mode of nutrients contents in the supplements were several fold of RDA though not in the range of toxicity. %RDA value was seldom shown on the label. Currently these supplements are classified as general drugs in Korea so they are not subject to regulations on nutrition labeling. Half of the subjects read the nutrient content list but two-thirds of them did not understand the information. Numerous health claims related to diseases were listed on the label and more than half of the subjects read them and one-third believed those health claims. These results indicate the need for an appropriate format for nutrition information on vitamin-mineral supplements.
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KEYWORD
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Nutrition labeling, vitamin-mineral supplement, health claims
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FullTexts / Linksout information
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Listed journal information
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