Gluten-Free Labeling of Food Products

Gluten-Free Labeling of Food Products Focus Groups

Participant Screener

Recruiting Goals

• Four focus groups, two groups in each location: Washington DC and North Carolina.

• Ages 18 and over, with a range of ages in each group.

• Most participants will be individuals a) with medically diagnosed (self-report) celiac disease whose diet includes packaged, processed food products and who follow a gluten-free diet or b) who either regularly purchase groceries or prepare foods for someone with medically diagnosed (self-report) celiac disease whose diet includes packaged food products and follows a gluten-free diet.

• Some participants (up to 3 per group) may have medically diagnosed (self-report) gluten intolerance whose diet includes packaged, processed food products and who follow a gluten-free diet or be adult consumers who purchases groceries or prepares foods for someone who has a gluten intolerance and whose diet includes packaged, processed food products and who follow a gluten-free diet.

• The groups will be segmented by level of education.

• The groups will have a mix of races and ethnicities. Please note that Asian and Caribbean Black individuals have no known incidence of celiac disease.

• All groups will be mixed gender with no more than 4 men in each group.

• All participants must be able to read, understand and speak English.

• All participants must have grocery shopped within the past month.

• 12 recruits per group in order to get 8-12 to participate.

• Participants will receive $75 incentives.

• Each focus group will last approximately 120 minutes. Groups will be audio- and video-taped.

• Obtain participant’s consent. The identity of the participants will remain confidential.

• Groups will be observed by staff from the Food and Drug Administration.

• Participants do not have to answer any questions that they do not want to, but are encouraged to participate.

Hello Mr./Ms. __________________________________, my name is __________________ and I'm calling about a market research study in your area. We are recruiting for an upcoming focus group in which participants will be asked to share their thoughts and feelings about gluten-free food product labels. Would you mind answering a few questions?

Screening Questions

1. Before I start, are you at least 18 years old?

• YES

• NO  Can I speak with someone at least 18 years old? If no, when would be a good time to call back and speak with someone at least 18 years old?

2. Do you or does someone from your immediate family work for any of the following:

• Market Research Firm  eliminate [thank respondent politely]

• The Food and Drug Administration,

U.S. Department of Agriculture,

or State or local food agency  eliminate [thank respondent politely]

• Food Industry or Food Retailer  eliminate [thank respondent politely]

• Gastroenterologist or Gluten Interest Groups or Association  eliminate [thank respondent politely]

3. Do you shop for groceries for yourself or others?

• Yes  continue

• No  eliminate [thank respondent politely]

4. When was the last time you went grocery shopping?

• More than one month ago  eliminate

5. Do you have medically diagnosed celiac disease or a gluten intolerance, or do you regularly purchase groceries or prepare food for someone with a medically diagnosed celiac disease or a gluten intolerance?

• YES, I have medically diagnosed celiac disease  go to 6

• YES, I purchase groceries or prepare food for someone with medically diagnosed celiac disease  go to 6

• YES, I have medically diagnosed gluten intolerance  go to 6

• YES, I purchase groceries or prepare food for someone with medically diagnosed gluten intolerance  go to 6

• NO  eliminate [thank respondent politely]

6. How was this diagnosis made? Please listen to all the options and then choose just one. Was the diagnosis made by:

• Removing foods with gluten from your or the person’s diet [NOT APPROPRIATE FOR CELIAC DIAGNOSIS. ACCEPT UP TO 3 PER GROUPS FOR GLUTEN INTOLERANCE]

• Blood tests

• Biopsy of the small intestine.

• Blood tests and a biopsy of the small intestine

• None of the above.  eliminate [thank respondent politely]

• Don’t know  eliminate [thank respondent politely]

7. Do you, or does someone for whom you regularly prepare food or buy groceries, follow a gluten-free diet?

• YES, I follow a gluten-free diet.  continue

• YES, someone for whom I regularly prepare food or buy groceries for follows a gluten-free diet  continue

• NO  eliminate [thank respondent politely]

8. Do you eat (or serve) packaged, processed foods?

• Yes  continue

• No  eliminate [thank respondent politely]

Demographic Questions

9. Determine gender

• Male

• Female

10. What is your age?

• [Specify] _______ [If the person refuses to report, go to 10a]

10a. I understand you don’t want to tell me your age. Which of the following age categories are you in?

____ 18-29

____ 30-39

____ 40-49

____ 50-59

____ 60-69

____ 70 and above?

11. What is the highest level of education that you have completed?

• Less than high school  lower education group

• High school graduate or GED  lower education group

• Technical/vocational school  lower education group

• Community college  lower education group

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

• Some college (1-3 years

towards Bachelor’s degree)  higher education group

• College (Bachelor’s degree)  higher education group

• Advanced degree (post graduate degree)  higher education group

12. Are you of Hispanic or Latino origin?

􀂉 Yes → continue

􀂉 No → continue

13. What is your race? I am going to read several categories of race. You may choose one or more categories. Are you?

􀂉 White → continue

􀂉 Black or African American → continue

􀂉 Asian → continue

􀂉 Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander → continue

􀂉 American Indian or Alaska Native →continue

􀂉 [DON’T READ] Hispanic → continue

􀂉 [DON’T READ] Other → continue

We would like to invite you to participate in a focus group to discuss issues relating to gluten-free labels on food products. The discussion will last approximately two hours and will be video- and audio-taped and observed by staff from the Food and Drug Administration, the FDA. Your participation and everything you say during the discussion will remain confidential. You will receive a $75 incentive. Additionally, we will provide a light gluten-free meal before the group discussion starts. Are you interested in participating in this focus group?

 

• Yes → continue

• No → [Thank the person for his/her time]

I’m glad that you will be able to join us! The focus group will take place on (Day), (Date), at [6:00 or 8:00 p.m.] at [site location].

Will you be available to participate at this time?

• Yes

• No → [Thank the person for his/her time]

I would like to send you a confirmation letter and directions to the facility. In order to do so, could you please tell me your mailing address (or fax number, e-mail address) and a phone number where you can be reached:

Name: ______________________________________

Address: __________________________________________________________

City: _______________________ State: _________ Zip: ______________

Phone: _______________________

Email: _______________________

Date of focus group: __________________ Time: ________________

We are only inviting a few people, so it is very important that you notify us as soon as possible if for some reason you are unable to attend. Please call [recruiter] at [telephone number] if this should happen. We look forward to seeing you on [date] at [time]. If you use reading glasses, please bring them with you to the focus group.