The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed front-of-package (FOP) labels for most packaged foods to provide easy nutrition information to consumers.
The proposal is a key part of the FDA’s nutrition goals, supporting a broader government effort to tackle the nation’s chronic disease crisis.
If approved, the FOP labels will provide consumers with clear information on a food’s saturated fat, sodium, and added sugar contents, three nutrients linked to chronic diseases when consumed in excess.
The proposed nutrition label, or ‘Nutrition Info box’, shows simple ratings for saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars, Low, Med, or High.
This label complements the FDA’s Nutrition Facts label, offering more detailed nutrient information for consumers about the nutrients in their food.
The health regulator said the Nutrition Info box provides clear, accessible information to help consumers quickly identify how foods fit into a healthy diet.
FDA commissioner Robert Califf said: “It is time we make it easier for consumers to glance, grab and go. Adding front-of-package nutrition labelling to most packaged foods would do that.
“We are fully committed to pulling all the levers available to the FDA to make nutrition information readily accessible as part of our efforts to promote public health.”
The proposed Nutrition Info box is based on extensive FDA research, including a scientific literature review, consumer focus groups, and a peer-reviewed experimental study.
In 2023, the FDA surveyed nearly 10,000 US adults to test responses to three FOP labels.
Results showed that the black-and-white Nutrition Info box with percent Daily Value was the most effective in helping consumers identify healthier options.
The proposed Nutrition Info box is a key element of the White House’s National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health to reduce diet-related diseases by 2030.
These efforts aim to help consumers easily identify foods aligned with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and reduce the intake of nutrients commonly found in ultra-processed foods.
If finalised, the proposed rule would require food manufacturers to add a Nutrition Info box to most packaged foods within three years for businesses with $10m or more in annual food sales, and within four years for businesses with less than $10m in annual sales.
In August last year, the health agency issued draft guidance for the second Phase of its voluntary sodium reduction targets across the food supply.
