The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed a groundbreaking rule aimed at making nutrition labels more prominent and informative to help consumers make healthier dietary choices.
By 2028, packaged food and drink manufacturers may be required to display key nutritional information—saturated fat, sodium, and added sugar levels—on the front of their products, in addition to traditional labels on the back.
The Need for Clearer Labels
Packaged foods in the U.S. often feature health claims that can mislead consumers, says Lindsey Smith Taillie, a nutrition epidemiologist at the University of North Carolina. For instance, fruit drinks may tout high levels of vitamin C but also be loaded with added sugars. The new labels aim to eliminate confusion by providing clear, science-backed information at a glance, encouraging better food choices.
The FDA’s proposed design would highlight the amounts of saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars, categorizing them as “low,” “medium,” or “high.” These nutrients were chosen because of their significant role in chronic illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers, said Rebecca Buckner, the FDA's associate deputy director for human food policy.
Tackling Chronic Diseases Through Awareness
The proposal comes amid alarming statistics: heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S., accounting for 1 in 5 deaths, while 1 in 10 people has diabetes, predominantly Type 2 diabetes.
About 40% of adults are classified as obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Experts like Dr. Yian Gu, a nutrition epidemiologist at Columbia University, emphasize the importance of educating consumers about how nutrients impact health. Without such understanding, even prominent labels may fail to influence purchasing decisions.
Implementation Timeline and Industry Response
If finalized, the new labeling system won’t be implemented immediately. The FDA plans a 120-day public comment period, followed by potential revisions. Once finalized, larger food manufacturers would have three years to comply, while smaller businesses would get an additional year.
While the FDA hopes the initiative will encourage food manufacturers to reformulate products to fall into lower categories of saturated fat, sodium, and sugar, industry groups remain skeptical. The Consumer Brands Association opposes mandatory labeling, arguing it could confuse consumers.
Instead, the group advocates for voluntary initiatives like “Facts Up Front,” which summarizes key nutritional details, and SmartLabel, which provides QR codes for detailed product information.
Lessons from Other Countries
The concept of front-of-package labels isn’t new. Countries like Chile, Brazil, and the United Kingdom have implemented similar measures with notable success. In Chile, mandatory labels introduced in 2016 have influenced consumer behavior, steering people away from products high in sugar and salt.
Colleen Tewksbury, a nutrition science professor at the University of Pennsylvania, notes that while such labels often attract attention, the bigger question is whether they significantly change purchasing habits. Research suggests that people already motivated to make healthier choices are the most likely to alter their buying behaviors.
Potential Challenges and Limitations
Some nutrition experts, like Smith Taillie, question whether the proposed labels will effectively guide healthier choices. The design’s similarity to existing back-of-package information and the inclusion of potentially confusing daily value percentages might undermine its effectiveness.
For example, products that naturally lack sugar may still display “low in sugar” labels, falsely enhancing their health appeal. Similarly, small portion sizes for salty snacks could avoid “high” sodium labels, misleading consumers about their overall health impact.
While the new rule may not be a comprehensive solution, it represents a significant step toward addressing diet-related health issues in the U.S. By increasing transparency and accessibility of nutritional information, the FDA hopes to empower consumers to make informed decisions and encourage the food industry to prioritize healthier formulations. Whether these measures will lead to lasting change remains to be seen!
Healthier Choices Made Easier: Proposed Front-of-Package Nutrition Info Box
Video by U.S. Food and Drug Administration
