A Delphi-Based Validation of Consumer Food Labelling Lessons for South African Consumers

Food labelling plays a critical role in informing consumers about the nutritional quality, safety, and composition of food products. However, many South African consumers struggle to understand or effectively use food labels. This gap in health literacy highlights the need for culturally appropriate educational interventions. In response, consumer food labelling lessons were developed using evidence-based literature and findings from a South African consumer food labelling survey. In this qualitative study, the Delphi-based validation approach was employed to ensure relevance, clarity and appropriateness of the lessons. A panel of seven South African experts from academia, health care, and the food industry participated in two rounds of feedback. Consensus was reached in Round 2, and a final confirmation process was conducted in Round 3. Key themes that emerged in Round 1included the need to simplify language and reduce scientific jargon. At least 80% agreement was reached on the need for more visual examples and simpler explanations. By Round 2, ≥85% agreement was achieved that these revisions had been incorporated effectively. In Round 3, the reviewers confirmed consensus on the lessons' relevance, clarity, and cultural appropriateness, and the research team considered the final conclusions and approved the lessons as suitable for implementation in socioeconomically diverse populations in South Africa. This work adds to the limited South African literature on food label education by presenting a validated, culturally contextualised intervention. It holds public health relevance as a model for improving food label literacy and empowering healthier food choices among South African consumers.