Assessing the impact of food labeling policies on consumer behavior, non-communicable disease risks, and machine learning-driven insights: analyzing purchasing patterns and health outcomes in central Lagos, Nigeria

This study sought to assess the implications of food labelling policies in Lagos Nigeria on consumer awareness, comprehension of labels, and the potential of food labels to lower prevalence of NCDs. A variety of consumers was interviewed semi-structured interviews aimed at exploring their understanding of food labels, the difficulties they have in making sense of the nutritional information and what they believed of the current labelling practices. The research found that consumers are very aware of food labels, but struggle to connect meaningfully. Some of the participants were well aware of nutritional labels, but others got confused by complex terminology and deceptive claims. Additionally, skepticism surrounding the accuracy of labels was prevalent, particularly concerning claims such as "low-fat" or "organic." It was found that public health interventions related to increasing consumer education, making label formats clearer, and making regulations more transparent are needed in the study. The research proved that the adoption of front of pack (FOP) labelling systems, including traffic light labels, could significantly enhance the user’s understanding and help consume healthier foods. Mobile apps and QR codes were identified to have potentials in leveraging technological innovations to engage consumers further with real time nutritional information. The second aspect of the study revolves around the socio-economic and cultural barriers which affect the adoption of food labelling, particularly in informal markets. The results highlight the need for an integrative approach to improving food labelling policies in Lagos, Nigeria: education, technology, regulation, and targeted interventions—methods that can be replicated and scaled in contexts similar to Lagos.