The Food and Drug Administration introduced a new proposal on Tuesday for nutrition labels on packaged food and beverages to assist Americans in making healthier choices more easily. The new rule, expected to be visible as early as 2028, will require food manufacturers to prominently display levels of saturated fat, sodium, and added sugar on the front of packaging, in addition to the standard nutrition labels on the back. This initiative aims to address the confusion caused by various health and nutrition claims on packaged foods in the U.S., making it challenging for consumers to distinguish between what is beneficial or harmful. The proposed front-of-package labels will indicate levels of saturated fat, sodium, and added sugar, as well as whether the product contains high, medium, or low amounts of these nutrients. Dr. Yian Gu, a nutrition epidemiologist at Columbia University Medical Center, emphasized the importance of educating people about the impact of nutrients like saturated fat on their health to ensure that the additional information is beneficial. The FDA’s proposal comes at a time when diet-related chronic diseases, such as Type 2 diabetes and heart disease, are prevalent in the U.S., with heart disease being the leading cause of death. The FDA’s proposal will undergo a 120-day comment period before potential additional changes or finalization. Large food manufacturers will have three years post-finalization to implement the changes, while smaller manufacturers will have an additional year. The industry trade group, Consumer Brands Association, has expressed concerns about the mandatory labeling, suggesting collaboration on industry-led initiatives like Facts Up Front and SmartLabel as alternative measures.
“Allowing consumers to access detailed nutritional information via QR codes, Gallo noted the potential impact of these labels on consumer habits. The placement of nutrition labels on the front of packages is not a novel concept, with numerous countries already implementing similar measures outside of the U.S. Countries such as the United Kingdom, Mexico, Chile, Australia, and New Zealand have all adopted front-of-package labeling systems.
Chile, for instance, has been a frontrunner in this initiative since 2016, introducing black, hexagonal labels on the front of packaged foods to indicate high levels of calories, saturated fat, and sugar. These mandatory labels serve to alert consumers to potentially harmful ingredients in the products they purchase. Building on Chile’s example, Brazil also implemented mandatory front-of-package labels in 2022.
Colleen Tewksbury, an assistant professor of nutrition science at the University of Pennsylvania, highlighted that research conducted in countries with front-of-package labeling systems has shown that these labels can influence consumer purchasing decisions. However, Tewksbury cautioned that these findings may not be directly applicable to the U.S., where individualism plays a significant role, and consumers may resist being told what to do.
Tewksbury pointed out that individuals who are already inclined to make healthier choices are more likely to alter their purchasing behavior based on front-of-package labels. While simplistic labeling on the front of packaging can capture consumers’ attention, the ultimate question lies in whether these labels truly impact purchasing habits. Tewksbury emphasized the need for further research to determine the full extent of the influence of front-of-package labeling on consumer behavior.”
