The Food and Drug Administration has proposed a new rule for nutrition labels on packaged food and drinks to help Americans make healthier choices more easily. Under this proposed rule, expected to be implemented as early as 2028, food manufacturers will be required to display levels of saturated fat, sodium, and added sugar on the front of packaging in addition to the standard nutrition labels on the back.
Lindsey Smith Taillie, a nutrition epidemiologist at the University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health, pointed out that the numerous health and nutrition claims on packaged foods in the U.S. can be confusing for consumers. For example, fruit drinks may boast high levels of vitamin C on their packaging while also containing significant amounts of added sugar. The objective of placing key nutrition information on the front of packages is to encourage consumers to make more health-conscious decisions.
The proposed front-of-package labels will indicate levels of saturated fat, sodium, and added sugar and classify the product as containing high, medium, or low amounts of these nutrients. Dr. Yian Gu, a nutrition epidemiologist at the Columbia University Medical Center, emphasized the importance of providing consumers with this information to help them make informed choices. However, Gu also highlighted the need for education on how certain nutrients, like saturated fat, can impact health.
The FDA’s proposal comes in the context of high rates of diet-related chronic diseases in the U.S., including Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., with diabetes and obesity also posing significant health challenges. The FDA’s proposal will undergo a 120-day comment period before potential finalization, after which large food manufacturers will have three years to implement the changes, while smaller manufacturers will have four years.
Notably, the Consumer Brands Association has voiced opposition to mandatory labeling, expressing concerns about potentially confusing consumers with arbitrary scales and symbols. Instead, the group has advocated for collaboration on industry-led initiatives like Facts Up Front and SmartLabel, which aim to provide important nutrition information on packaging voluntarily.
“The introduction of front-of-package nutrition labels may impact consumer habits, according to Gallo, by allowing access to detailed nutritional information through QR codes. While this concept is not novel globally, with many countries such as the United Kingdom, Mexico, Chile, Australia, and New Zealand already implementing similar measures, it is a new development for the United States.
Chile, for example, has been using black, hexagonal labels on packaged foods since 2016 to indicate high levels of calories, saturated fat, and sugar. In Brazil, mandatory front-of-package labels were introduced in 2022. Colleen Tewksbury, an assistant professor of nutrition science at the University of Pennsylvania, pointed out that research has demonstrated the influence of such labels on consumer purchasing behavior in these countries. However, Tewksbury noted that applying these findings directly to the U.S. market may not be straightforward due to a prevailing sense of individualism among American consumers, who may resist being told what to do.
Tewksbury explained that individuals who are already inclined to make healthier choices are more likely to be impacted by front-of-package labeling. While simplistic labeling can attract consumer attention, the crucial question remains whether it leads to meaningful changes in purchasing habits. Tewksbury emphasized the need for further research to determine the full extent of the impact of these labels on consumer behavior.”
