FDA Proposes Putting Nutrition Info on the Front of Food Packages
New Rule Aims to Help Americans Make Healthier Choices
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed a new rule for nutrition labels on packaged food and drinks that’s intended to help Americans make healthier choices at a glance. Under the new rule, food manufacturers will be required to display levels of saturated fat, sodium, and added sugar on the front of the packaging.
Confusion on Labels
Packaged foods in the U.S. often come with a number of health and nutrition claims, which can make it confusing for consumers to know what’s good or bad for them, said Lindsey Smith Taillie, a nutrition epidemiologist at the University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health. Fruit drinks, for example, may advertise high levels of vitamin C on the front of the bottle, making them seem like a healthy choice, but at the same time, they are loaded with added sugar.
Front-of-Package Label
The FDA’s proposed front-of-package label will include the amount of saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars and whether those amounts are considered “low,” “medium,” or “high.” The idea is that by placing certain nutrition information directly in front of consumers, they’ll be more likely to make health-conscious decisions.
Impact on Consumers
However, the extra information won’t do much good if people aren’t aware of how certain nutrients, such as saturated fat, can affect their health, said Dr. Yian Gu, a nutrition epidemiologist at the Columbia University Medical Center in New York City. More work needs to be done on educating people about their nutrition.
Chronic Diseases
The FDA’s proposal comes amid high rates of diet-related chronic diseases, such as Type 2 diabetes and heart disease, in the U.S. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., accounting for 1 in every 5 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 1 in 10 Americans have diabetes, mostly Type 2 diabetes. And about 2 in 5 adults have obesity, the CDC says.
Implementation
The front-of-package labels won’t go into effect immediately, according to the FDA. The proposal includes a 120-day comment period after which the agency may make additional changes to the proposal or finalize the new rule. Large food manufacturers will have three years after the rule is finalized to make the changes to most of their products, the agency said. Smaller manufacturers will get an additional year to implement the changes.
Industry Reaction
The Consumer Brands Association, an industry trade group, has been against the mandatory labeling, saying the FDA is considering “schemes with arbitrary scales and symbols that could cause confusion among consumers.” The group has instead pushed the agency to collaborate on industry-led initiatives, including Facts Up Front, which allows food manufacturers to voluntarily summarize important nutrition information on the front of packaging.
International Experience
Putting nutrition labels on the front of packages isn’t a new concept — at least outside of the U.S. Dozens of countries, including the United Kingdom, Mexico, Chile, Australia, and New Zealand, have implemented similar measures. In 2016, Chile introduced mandatory labels on the front of packaging, alerting consumers to high levels of sugar, saturated fat, and other potentially harmful ingredients. In 2022, Brazil also implemented mandatory front-of-package labels for products.
Effect on Consumers’ Habits
Colleen Tewksbury, an assistant professor of nutrition science at the University of Pennsylvania, said research has shown that the labels do influence what people buy in those countries. However, she said, those findings may not easily translate to the U.S., where “individualism” prevails and consumers don’t “want to be told what to do.” Often, she said, the people who change their buying behavior were the ones who were already looking to make changes.
Conclusion
The FDA’s proposed rule aims to provide consumers with clear and concise nutrition information on the front of packaged food and drinks. While the impact on consumers’ habits is uncertain, the proposal is a step towards promoting healthier choices and reducing the risk of diet-related chronic diseases.
FAQs
* What is the FDA proposing to put on the front of food packages?
+ The FDA is proposing to put levels of saturated fat, sodium, and added sugar on the front of packaging.
* How will the labels affect consumers’ habits?
+ Research has shown that the labels do influence what people buy in other countries, but it’s unclear if it will have the same effect in the U.S.
* When will the labels go into effect?
+ The proposal includes a 120-day comment period, after which the agency may make additional changes or finalize the new rule. Large food manufacturers will have three years to make the changes, and smaller manufacturers will have an additional year.
