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The United States Food and Drug Administration has proposed front-of-package (FOP) nutrition labels for most packaged foods. This would play a key role in the agency’s nutrition priorities, which are part of a government-wide effort to combat the nation’s chronic disease crisis. If finalised, 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 proposed FOP nutrition label, or ‘nutrition info box’, provides information on saturated fat, sodium and added sugars content in a simple format, showing whether the food has ‘low’, ‘med’, or ‘high’ levels of these nutrients. It complements the FDA’s iconic ‘nutrition facts’ label, which gives consumers more detailed information about the nutrients in their food.
Chronic diseases, including heart disease, cancer and diabetes, are the leading cause of disability and death in the US. Nearly 60 per cent of Americans have at least one chronic disease, which is a leading driver of the nation’s $4.5 trillion annual healthcare costs. A large body of research indicates that a major contributor to this problem is excess consumption of saturated fat, sodium and added sugars. There is a proliferation of foods that are considered ultra-processed, which often contain high levels of these nutrients.
“The science on saturated fat, sodium and added sugars is clear,” said FDA Commissioner Robert M Califf, adding, “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. Adding front-of-package nutrition labelling to most packaged foods would do that.”
(Source: USFDA)
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