US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on Tuesday Proposal to require most foods to display nutritional information on the front of the package.
The front-of-pack (FOP) nutrition label, or “nutrition information box,” contains information about three important nutrients: saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars.
The FOP label indicates whether the food contains “low,” “moderate,” or “high” levels of each nutrient, and also includes the percent daily intake for each nutrient. .
FOP labels are not a replacement for standard Nutrition Facts labels. Standard nutrition facts labels will continue to appear on the back of foods to provide more detailed nutritional information.
The proposal aims to help consumers make more health-conscious choices about what foods they eat.
The FDA said the proposal is part of a “whole-of-government effort to combat the nation's chronic disease crisis,” noting that all three nutrients selected “are directly associated with chronic disease when consumed in excess.” did.
“The science on saturated fat, sodium and added sugars is clear,” FDA Commissioner Robert Califf said in a statement. “Almost everyone knows or cares for someone with a chronic illness that is played in part by the food we eat.”
“The time has come for consumers to see it, pick it up and use it right away,” he continued. “Adding nutrition labels to the front of the package on most packaged foods will do just that. As part of our efforts to promote public health, we will use every tool at our disposal to update nutrition information. We are committed to providing easy access.”
The proposal comes after the FDA conducted an experimental study in 2023 with approximately 10,000 U.S. adults, in which participants “rated the perceived healthiness of products based on their levels of saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars.” “We will identify FOP schemes that can more quickly and accurately assess conditions.” was displayed. ”
This study investigated consumer responses to three types of labels. This discovery led to a label proposal by the FDA. This label is designed as a small black and white box similar to an easily recognized Nutrition Facts label.
“Empirical studies have shown that black-and-white nutrition information schemes that include percentage daily values are most effective in helping consumers identify healthier food options. ” states the press release.
If finalized, the proposed rule would require businesses with annual food sales of $10 million or more to add FOP nutrition labeling three years after the effective date of the final rule. Businesses with annual food sales of less than $10 million must add labels within four years of the effective date of the final rule.
The proposal comes less than a week after President Biden is set to leave office and President-elect Trump prepares to take over in Washington.
President Trump nominated Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, which has jurisdiction over the FDA and other health agencies.
kennedy was critical of the processed food industry. He said Democrats had promised to “stand by as other countries ban these poisons that make children sick” and “stop the mass poisoning of American children.”
