The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken a major step in addressing the nation’s chronic disease crisis by proposing a new front-of-package (FOP) nutrition label for most packaged foods. The move is part of a broader government effort to combat rising rates of chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
The proposed “Nutrition Info box” will display simple, easy-to-read information about three key nutrients—saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars. These nutrients have been directly linked to chronic diseases when consumed in excess. The label will categorise the levels of these nutrients as “Low,” “Med,” or “High,” providing consumers with an at-a-glance understanding of how a product fits into a healthy diet.
FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf, M.D., emphasized the urgency of providing this information to consumers: “The science on saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars is clear. Nearly everyone knows or cares for someone with a chronic disease that is due, in part, to the food we eat. It is time we make it easier for consumers to glance, grab and go.”
The proposed label has been developed based on extensive research, including a review of scientific literature, consumer focus groups, and an experimental study involving nearly 10,000 US adults. This study tested three different FOP labeling schemes to assess which one most effectively helped consumers evaluate the healthfulness of products. The results indicated that a black-and-white design with the percent Daily Value performed best in guiding consumers to healthier food choices.
“This research was critical in ensuring that the proposed label would help consumers make quicker and more accurate assessments,” said Dr. Califf.
The FDA also anticipates that the proposed FOP label could lead to changes in the food industry. By making nutrition information more visible, manufacturers may be encouraged to reformulate their products to meet healthier standards. Jim Jones, FDA’s Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods, stated, “Food should be a vehicle for wellness, not a contributor of chronic disease...Together, we hope the FDA’s efforts will start stemming the tide of the chronic disease crisis in our country.”
The front-of-package nutrition label proposal is aligned with the White House National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. The strategy aims to reduce diet-related diseases by 2030. The FDA’s work on labeling, including the recently updated “healthy” claim and sodium reduction targets, is central to this broader initiative to improve public health and nutrition.
The proposed rule would require food manufacturers with $10 million or more in annual food sales to implement the new label three years after the final rule’s effective date. Smaller businesses with less than $10 million in annual food sales would have four years to comply. This timeline ensures that businesses have enough time to adapt to the new regulations and implement the changes effectively.
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