Abstract
This study focused on strategies for improving consumer utilization of labels
on processed foods in Aba Metropolis, Abia State. Specifically, it determined
strategies to be adopted by: consumers themselves; manufacturers; and
distributors/traders. The study utilized descriptive survey research design.
Population was made up of three groups: consumers, manufacturers and
distributors processed foods products in the area of study. A multistage
technique was used to select a sample of 260 respondents (comprising 120
consumers, 45 manufacturers, 95 distributors) who participated in the study.
Questionnaire was used for data collection. Mean and standard deviation
were used to analyse data. Findings include: eight each of consumers-related
strategies with mean (X) scores of 2.61-3.14; manufactures related strategies
with mean (X) scores 2.87-3.17; and distributors related strategies with mean
(X) scores of 3.02-3.15. These strategies which could be adopted by
consumers, manufactures and distributors, include, among others,
consumers to form the habit of reading labels processed foods, manufactures
to include manufacturing date on processed foods, and distributors are to
display the price tag on the processed foods. Five recommendations were
made. These include that regulatory authorities (like NAFDAC) should
monitor and ensure that manufacturers fulfil their responsibilities of raising
consumers’ awareness on the utilization of information on food labels such
as ingredients, manufacture/expiration date, NAFDAC and Batch numbers.