OKI Printing Solutions, a company specializing in printing solutions, polled 100 weight loss club members to test a theory that health-conscious buyers are more likely to be drawn to foods in blue packaging. Were they right?

Yes. Survey results showed that 76% of those shown two brands of breakfast cereal, orange juice, and a yogurt drink believed the items offered in blue packaging to be healthier choices.

In their press release, OKI Printing Solutions quoted color psychologist Angela Wright. "The 76 percent agreement rate comes as no surprise to me. Blue is not a natural food color; however, it can be used wisely in the marketing of low-fat foods as it encourages people to eat less," she said. "Blue is the color of the mind and evokes a sense of responsibility, tending to encourage us to be on our best behavior, so unconsciously consumers believe the product is lower in fat than other brands."

Blue is the color of the mind, and evokes a sense of responsibility, tending to encourage us to be on our best behavior. Unconsciously consumers believe the product is lower in fat than other brands.

Angela Wright, Color Psychologist, UK

Blue Packaging In The Dairy Aisle

Although there is no agreed-upon standard, all you have to do is take a walk into the grocery store to see that many low-fat products have blue packaging. From low-fat milk and yogurt to ice cream, blue is the color that many, although not all, indicate that the product contains less fat.

Blue also indicates cold or cool, so you'll also see it in the freezer case for zero-calorie ice and not-so-low calorie frozen desserts. Unfortunately, the color is not always a reliable indicator of calories or fat content.

UPDATE: Blue packaging indicates low fat while purple has become the color that means no-fat products. Dannon Light 'n Fit product line is an excellent example. Originally the packaging was white and light blue. With no fat becoming more critical to customers, they change to using purple for the zero fat offerings within their product line to replace blue, which had become known to signify lower fat although not necessarily low fat.

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Kate Smith
Kate Smith is an optimistic, expressive, artist, designer, writer and color fanatic. With her warm and witty style, Kate teaches you to clearly see, understand and be inspired by color. Then she guides you step-by-step to develop your own unique color sense-ability and achieve results you never dreamed possible.
  • joyce says:

    Interesting”thoughts” to add to the study I am doing about the colour blue

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