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Consumer awareness of current food labeling system and new nutrition labeling system which the government considers to adopt widely was assessed, from May to June in 1994, for 423 adults living in Seoul. Being highly conscious of food safety, they thought the current food label did not provide sufficient information. Dissatisfaction with the current system was shown higher in the female, young, or unmarried strata. The need for nutrition labeling system was widely recognized by 82% of total respondents regardless of sex, level of education, monthly income, and marital status. Although some expressed worries about proper management of the system, most of the respondents answered that the system would benefit them after all. In this connection, 59% of the respondents showed willingness to accept a price increase to be entailed by nutrition labeling. Nutrition informations that, they thought, should be covered were: calorie>minerals>cholesterol>protein>vitamins>fat>sodium. Additional labeling informations they called for were nutrient contents>RDA percentage>specific statement on reinforced or eliminated nutrients.
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