FDA Proposes Simplified Front-of-Package Nutrition Labels on Foods

On Tuesday, the US Food and Drug Administration proposed adding a box with simplified nutrition information to the front of packaged foods to aid consumers in making healthier choices.

If the rule around a “Nutrition Info” box is finalized, “the proposal would give consumers readily visible information about a food’s saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars content—three nutrients directly linked with chronic diseases when consumed in excess,” the FDA said in a press release.

This new box on the front would complement the existing “Nutrition Facts” label that contains more detailed information on nutritional content by providing both the percent daily value and whether the food has low, medium, or high levels of saturated fat, sodium, and added sugar.

The FDA said research supports that excess consumption of these three nutrients is a major contributor to chronic diseases like CVD, cancer, and diabetes.

“Nearly everyone knows or cares for someone with a chronic disease that is due, in part, to the food we eat,” FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, MD, said in the press release. “It is time we make it easier for consumers to glance, grab, and go. Adding front-of-package nutrition labeling to most packaged foods would do that.”

This initiative is support by a review of the literature and the FDA’s own research into consumer responses to three different types of front-of-package labels. “The experimental study showed that the black-and-white Nutrition Info scheme with the percent Daily Value performed best in helping consumers identify healthier food options,” the agency said, noting that this effort is part of the Biden-Harris administration’s National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health aimed at reducing diet-related diseases by 2030.

If the rule is finalized, manufacturers with $10 million or more in annual food sales will have 3 years to add the Nutrition Info box to their products, with businesses with lower sales getting 4 years to comply.

The FDA is accepting comments on the proposal through May 16.

The American Heart Association came out in support of the proposed rule. It would “empower consumers to make informed choices for their health and the health of their families,” CEO Nancy Brown said in a press release.

“Front-of-pack nutrition labeling has been adopted by other countries and has been shown to improve consumer understanding, drive healthier purchases, and incentivize companies to reformulate products to be healthier,” she continued. “We look forward to reviewing and providing feedback on FDA’s proposal and working closely with the new administration to make front-of-pack nutrition labeling a reality in this country.”