A groundbreaking study from Alexandria, Egypt, analyzing 719 adult consumers reveals the stark disconnect between food labeling intentions and actual awareness. While 55.6% reported reading food labels, only 29.9% actually check nutritional facts, and more than half (50.9%) have low awareness of label content. The research exposes critical gaps: women and older, educated consumers are more likely to read labels, primarily to avoid fat-rich foods (50.3%) and prevent diseases (47.3%), yet 49.8% of non-readers simply "don't care" while others cite time constraints and small font sizes. Most concerning is the additive awareness crisis—only 40.9% recognize added sugars and a mere 5.8% identify monosodium glutamate—highlighting that bridging the gap between positive attitudes toward food labeling and actual comprehension is essential for improving public health outcomes.