The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed a Labeling System that requires a front-of-package (FOP) nutrition label on most packaged foods. FDA’s Front-of-Package Labeling aims to provide accessible, at-a-glance information to help consumers quickly and easily identify how foods can be part of a healthy diet.
Constituents of Nutrition Info Box
- Details of Nutrients: The proposed FDA’s Front-of-Package Labeling or FOP nutrition label has been named by the FDA as the Nutrition Info box. It would detail and interpret the relative amounts of three nutrients viz. saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars in a serving of food. Current federal dietary recommendations advise U.S. consumers to limit these three nutrients to achieve a nutrient-dense diet within calorie limits. The box will also show whether the food has “Low,” “Med” or “High” levels of these nutrients.
- Immediately Visible: The front-of-package (FOP) nutrition label would appear on the package’s front so that it is immediately visible when a consumer is deciding whether to buy, use, or eat the food.
- Calorie Description: The FDA has stated that calories would not be included in the Nutrition Info box but a manufacturer could voluntarily include a calorie statement on the front of the food package, per existing FDA regulations.
Significance of The Move
- Checking Food-Induced Chronic Diseases: Diet-related chronic diseases in the United States are the leading causes of death and disability. Many of these chronic diseases are experienced at higher rates by certain racial and ethnic minority groups and those with lower socioeconomic status, compared to the overall average. Healthy eating patterns, which are, among other things, lower in saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars, are associated with improved health, such as reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancers. Providing informative and accessible food labeling empowers consumers to make informed choices.
- Educating Consumers: The proposed Nutrition Info box or Front-of-Package Labeling System would complement the Nutrition Facts label that is already required on most packaged food. While many consumers use and benefit from the Nutrition Facts label, regular use of the label is lower among some segments of the population. The Nutrition Info box would quickly provide context for consumers on the front of food packages by detailing and interpreting (through “Low,” “Med,” or “High” descriptions) the relative amount of saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars in a serving of food.
- Easier to Understand: A study conducted by the FDA showed that FOP nutrition information is helpful for consumers and simpler schemes are easier for consumers to understand.
- Compliance Date and Terms: The proposed rule would establish a compliance date of three years after the final rule’s effective date for businesses with $10 million or more in annual food sales and a compliance date of four years after the final rule’s effective date for businesses with less than $10 million in annual food sales.