Consumer Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Towards Food Package Labels in South Chennai, Tamil Nadu: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Food packaging labels are vital sources of information that encourage dietary decisions based on knowledge. The way consumers interact with these labels is still not completely understood in urban India, where processed food consumption is growing along with diet-related disease prevalence. This aim of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of adult consumers towards food package labels in South Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Methodology This cross-sectional study was conducted over 10 months in South Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Three malls were selected using simple random sampling, and 415 adults (≥18 years, residing ≥1 year) were recruited through systematic random sampling (every third eligible adult at the supermarket checkout). A pretested, structured questionnaire in English and Tamil collected sociodemographic data and assessed KAP regarding food labeling. Knowledge responses were scored (correct=1, incorrect/don't know=0) with ≥50% classified as good. Attitude was recorded on a five-point Likert scale and categorized using the median split. Practice was scored based on frequency and yes/no items, with ≥60% considered good. KAP scores were thus categorized as adequate/inadequate, good/positive, or poor/negative. Data analysis was performed using SPSS v25, with descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multivariate logistic regression (odds ratio (OR); 95% confidence interval (CI); p<0.05). Results Among the 415 respondents, 66.3% possessed adequate knowledge, 61.7% held positive attitude, and only 51.8% showed good practice in reading labels. Although 85.8% were cognizant of food labels and 70.1% used them during shopping, only 40.2% ever attempted to measure caloric content while 32.1% reported label-reading as a common practice. This suggests a lack of nutritional literacy among the population. In comparison with detailed nutritional information, safety elements like expiry dates were prioritized. Education (adjusted OR (AOR): 0.49; 95% CI: 0.29-0.81; p=0.006) and employment status (AOR: 0.38; 95% CI: 0.23-0.63; p<0.001) were strong predictors of having good knowledge. There were positive relationships in knowledge and attitude (p<0.001) and knowledge and practice (p<0.001), advocating that more knowledge leads to significantly better attitude and behavior. Conclusion Consumers in South Chennai demonstrate substantial knowledge and positive attitude towards food package labels; however, a notable gap exists in their practical application, particularly concerning detailed nutritional information, with safety cues often prioritized. Education and employment are crucial determinants of knowledge. These findings underscore the need for targeted, simplified interventions and public health strategies to enhance nutritional literacy and promote informed dietary choices in urban settings.