Former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Louis Sullivan said in 1990, “When consumers try to buy healthier foods, they are met with confusion and frustration.” Dr Sullivan lamented poor food labeling and said consumers were being asked to be “linguists”. They were perusing the shelves and trying to make healthy choices.
The Bipartisan Nutrition Labeling and Education Act, passed by Congress that year, created the Nutrition Facts label that now appears on billions of food and beverage products. This was a groundbreaking step, and more than 30 years have passed since then. Diet-related illnesses continue to occur at high rates in the United States, leading to staggeringly high medical costs and straining the economy. Part of the reason is that consumers still have a hard time determining whether the products they buy are healthy. To help consumers make healthy choices, the United States should implement a mandatory front-of-pack nutrition labeling system that provides consumers with clear, concise, and easy-to-find information about food options. And the food and beverage industry should welcome front-of-pack labeling and join the movement. Making it easier to find healthy options is good for consumers, improves overall health, and benefits health systems and economies.
Good nutrition starts with education. Today’s nutrition facts labels, which appear on more than 6.5 billion products, include calories and portion sizes for a particular product, specific nutrients, and how much those nutrients contribute to the overall daily diet. Masu. People who use this label buy more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and fewer sugary drinks than those who don’t. Recent label changes (such as added sugar) have made it more potent.
The problem is that less than 1/3 of consumers report using it. Those who do tend to be white, have higher incomes, and are more educated. Some of the rarest users are parents with young children. Many people, including Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Robert Califf, don’t pay much attention to this ingredient. The reason is simple. That’s because it’s written on the back of the package, not the front.
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Labeling the front of the pack would solve this problem. FDA is currently conducting a consumer survey to determine a proposed front-of-pack framework for U.S.-based products. Many other countries have already adopted such systems. Some provide information about the product as a whole, while others focus on specific nutrients. Different types of interpretive designs are used to make information more accessible and understandable, such as grades, star ratings, traffic light colors, and warning labels. The premise is simple and clear. Consumers need to know immediately whether a product is healthy or not.
Approaches to front-of-pack labels vary, but the positive impact is consistent. A recent analysis of more than 100 studies from 1990 to 2021 found that overall performance scores, traffic light colors, and nutritional and health warnings each increase consumer understanding and purchase healthier products. It was found to be effective in increasing people’s health and reducing purchases of more unhealthy products. . Real-world data from other countries supports these findings. For example, the implementation of essential nutrient warnings in Chile has encouraged both consumers to make healthier purchases and companies to formulate healthier products. In other countries with similar policies, including the UK, France and Australia, early implementation results are promising. UNICEF concludes that front-of-pack labeling “can be a powerful tool to protect children’s right to a healthier future.”
Given the evidence, it is puzzling that some in the food industry seem to oppose front-of-pack nutrition labeling. A 2023 national survey found that 75% of U.S. consumers support mandatory front-of-pack labeling, including political affiliation, age group, education and income level, gender, race/ethnicity, and children. It turns out that there is a strong majority that goes beyond households with and without households.
Food and beverage companies looking to maintain market share need not fear. There is evidence that customers are demanding healthier products and will reward companies that provide products that meet their customers’ needs. According to a recent survey, nearly 80% of U.S. consumers agree that nutritious foods are healthy and can reduce the risk of disease. A 2015 study found that low-calorie foods and drinks can help increase supermarket sales. Protecting your health and increasing your market share are not necessarily mutually exclusive.
Millions of families face significant barriers to healthy, affordable food and beverages. While it won’t solve all of these challenges, front-of-pack labels can make it easier and faster for all consumers to make healthy choices, regardless of their income level or region. It will be. Interpretive design, which is rooted in science, responsive to consumer needs, easy to understand, and required to appear on all packaged foods, can be a game-changer for equitable health, and we believe It could completely change the landscape of products on shelves.
When the regulations implementing the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act were finalized, Health Department Secretary Sullivan said, “The American consumer is the winner.” Front-of-pack nutrition labeling offers an opportunity for even greater success with the support and support of food and beverage companies. A healthier future is within our reach.
nancy brown I’m the CEO of the American Heart Association.
